Ruto’s Gov’t Acknowledges High Unemployment Levels Among Kenyan Youth
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has raised concerns about rising youth unemployment in Kenya, warning that the situation is driving many young people into crime, drug misuse, and pessimism.
Speaking at the Nation-Huawei Leap Job Fair in Nairobi, Kindiki stated that recent youth-led street protests have startled the government into stepping up job development efforts.
“While many challenges face the young people today, undoubtedly the most acute challenge young people face in Kenya and in many parts of the world is the inability to access employment, jobs and income opportunities,” Kindiki said.
“Inability to access employment is the most acute challenge facing the youth,” DP Kindiki calls for collaboration between gov’t and the private sector to create jobs pic.twitter.com/YQiEFuxWxd
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 8, 2025
He disclosed that youth account for more than 60% of Kenya’s unemployed population, with many lacking vocational or professional skills.
“This is what drives young people into crime and drugs and a general state of hopelessness and despair,” he warned.
Kindiki stated that the problem is not specific to Kenya, citing results from the International Labour Organization’s World Employment and Social Trends Report 2025.
According to the ILO data, worldwide youth unemployment remains much greater than adult unemployment.
“In some countries, youth unemployment is three and even four times that of adults,” he added.
He said the impact of this trend is already being felt in Kenya, where young people are taking to the streets in increasing numbers to vent their dissatisfaction with economic woes.
DP Kindiki: Among the number of unemployed people we have, over 60% are youth. Many having no professional or vocational skills. This is what drives young people into crime and drugs, hopelessness and despair. #LEAPJobFair2025 pic.twitter.com/GTcyYRva76
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) July 8, 2025
“These actions have affected the financial stability of many households and the mental stability of those directly affected—both by the destruction meted out on businesses and those frustrated by unemployment,” Kindiki said.
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“Those are serious ramifications on the development of our society.”
The Deputy President underlined the importance of investing in training and skill development to reduce unemployment and prevent further societal degradation.
He told the people that the government is expanding initiatives targeted at empowering youth and integrating them into the labor force to ensure the country’s stability and future.
“We gather here today on the back of recent events in the last two weeks in this country, which now more than ever validate the strategic focus of this government in pursuing job creation and income opportunities for our young people,” he said.
Ruto’s Gov’t Acknowledges High Unemployment Levels Among Kenyan Youth
