Govt to Employ 150,000 More Youth Under Climate WorX Program

President William Ruto has unveiled a major expansion of the government’s youth employment strategy by announcing the recruitment of 150,000 more young people under the Climate WorX initiative.

Government Scales Up Youth Employment Efforts

Speaking after inducting 25,000 new youth into the programme, Ruto emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to solving unemployment through environmental and infrastructural interventions.

“The hiring of 21,000 youth in Nairobi last October, combined with today’s intake, brings the total to 46,000 in the capital. Recruitment is currently underway to onboard 150,000 more across the country,” the President stated.

Climate WorX’s Impact on Urban Clean-Up

According to the Head of State, the Climate WorX initiative has already made significant progress in rehabilitating the Nairobi River. The latest recruits will be deployed to both existing and new project sites, especially in informal settlements, flood-prone areas, and along riparian zones.

The ultimate goal is to engage over 200,000 youth nationwide through the initiative. “The induction of 25,000 youth into the Climate WorX Programme today affirms our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people while advancing environmental conservation,” said Ruto.

Revival of the Kazi Mtaani Initiative

President Ruto also announced the nationwide relaunch of the popular Kazi Mtaani Initiative on June 1, 2025. This version of the program aims to absorb 110,000 youths in 46 counties, excluding Nairobi.

The Kazi Mtaani rollout is being implemented through the Climate Resilience Service Program (CRSP), which has received a Ksh5 billion allocation from the Ministry of Roads.

How Climate WorX Mtaani Will Work

Launched in Nairobi on October 1, 2024, the Climate WorX Mtaani initiative is now expanding to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. Initial efforts focused on restoring the 47-kilometre Nairobi River Basin.

Youth selected for the program work in alternating two-week shifts and earn a daily wage of Ksh500. Supervisors overseeing the worker clusters receive Ksh550 per day. Payments are disbursed via mobile money within one week of completing each shift, enabling workers to take home roughly Ksh7,000 and supervisors Ksh7,700.

The program receives funding through the State Department for Roads, Kenya Forest Services, and the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.

Looking Ahead

With youth unemployment still a major issue in Kenya, the government’s Climate WorX initiative is seen as a timely response that tackles both economic and environmental challenges.

For continued updates on government job opportunities and youth employment programs, visit Kenyanews.co.ke.