President William Ruto has officially announced the return of the Kazi Mtaani Initiative, a nationwide youth employment program aimed at empowering jobless young people across the country. The program is set to be rolled out starting next week.
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Kazi Mtaani Returns to Create 110,000 Jobs
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Homa Bay County, President Ruto said the government made the decision to reintroduce the program to address the growing demand for job opportunities among the youth.
“Stepping into long-term employment, the youth of Homa Bay, please be prepared. From next week, we will be rolling out Kazi Mtaani across the country. Youths—110,000 of them—will benefit from the program,” said the President during his address.
Launch of NYOTA Program in Partnership with World Bank
Alongside Kazi Mtaani, Ruto unveiled a new initiative dubbed the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program. Backed by a Ksh20 billion partnership with the World Bank, NYOTA aims to boost youth involvement in the economy through targeted opportunities in innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
“In recognition of the immense potential of our young people, the government has partnered with the World Bank to roll out the NYOTA program,” said Ruto.
Why Kazi Mtaani Was Abolished in 2022
President Ruto had previously abolished Kazi Mtaani in 2022, explaining that the youth would instead be absorbed into the affordable housing plan under the Juakali sector. At the time, Ruto stated that 40% of housing-related jobs would go to small businesses, including youth-led enterprises.
“Kazi Mtaani is outdated now. The work now is building houses. The first people to get jobs in this project will be from Kibra,” Ruto said in 2022, promising to transition 500 youths per ward into housing construction roles.
Origin and Purpose of Kazi Mtaani
The program was first introduced in April 2020 as part of the National Hygiene Program (NHP), aimed at cushioning young Kenyans from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It began in eight counties including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Mandera, primarily targeting informal settlements.
What’s Next?
With the relaunch of Kazi Mtaani and the introduction of NYOTA, the government seeks to address both short-term employment needs and long-term economic empowerment for youth. More details on application and enrollment are expected in the coming days as implementation begins.
