President William Ruto has announced plans to recruit 50,000 young people into a paid internship programme with monthly stipends ranging between Ksh20,000 and Ksh25,000.
The programme, which targets young people completing training and studies at universities, colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, will help ease their transition into the job market.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Kasina church in Mwingi town on Sunday, October 25, Ruto said the programme would begin in January 2027 with 50,000 interns.
"We have said that from January, we are going to have 50,000 young people as interns who will be paid Ksh 20,000 to 25,000 per month so they can join the workplace in a graduated manner when they complete college, TVET, and university," Ruto stated.
Job seekers in Nairobi
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KIPPRA
According to the Head of State, the programme will further extend to 100,000 youths, and eventually to 200,000, within a few years.
"This is a programme we want to expand from 50,000 to 100,000 to 200,000 in two to three years so that we can create a better transition for our young people when they come out of college," he added.
The President said the programme would provide young people with an opportunity to gain workplace experience while earning a monthly stipend, as they climb into the job market gradually.
The expansion, Ruto said, is intended to create a more structured entry into employment for young people completing their education.
According to research by the Commission for University Education (CUE), more than one million young people across all education levels enter the labour market annually, against only about 101,000 formal jobs created in 2025, highlighting the widening gap between the number of job seekers and available formal employment opportunities.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and employers' organisations also indicate that youth unemployment among those aged 15 to 34 reaches approximately 67 per cent, largely driven by a growing backlog of graduates and a significant mismatch between the skills they acquire and the demands of the job market.
The latest move by the President is expected to provide relief to thousands of graduates who have remained jobless years after completing their education.
It also comes amid persistent concerns over youth unemployment and the challenges many graduates face when seeking their first jobs.
According to Ruto, the interventions were aimed at harnessing the skills, knowledge and energy of young people to support the country's development.
"All these interventions are so that we can harness the energy, the talent, and the knowledge of our young people in driving the development of our nation," he added.
Ruto on NYOTA Fund
Previously, the government moved to support over 100,000 young people who were seeking to venture into businesses with start-up capital of Ksh50,000 and another Ksh50,000 for support through the NYOTA programme.
The latest announcement by the President seems to target those seeking formal employment, especially in the civil service.
During the Sunday service, Ruto also announced that the government will further announce a new phase for the NYOTA programme, this time targeting at least 200,000 business-oriented youths.
However, the Head of State did not disclose further details on how the new phase will be conducted and the timelines for when it will be finally rolled out.
President William Ruto speaking to congregants during a church service at AIC Kasina church in Mwingi town on October 25, 2026
PCS