NAIROBI, Kenya- As Nairobi faces evolving security and socio-economic challenges, the government is doubling down on strategies to tackle the root causes of crime and insecurity—chief among them, unemployment.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has emphasized the critical role of creating opportunities for the youth to keep them constructively engaged and secure a brighter future.
“It’s not just about addressing crime but creating an environment where young people thrive,” said Dr. Omollo during a recent briefing.
“Most crimes stem from economic despair. That’s why we’re committed to providing jobs and opportunities that give our youth dignity and hope.”
Central to this vision is the Climate Worx Programme, an initiative launched by President William Ruto in September.
The program engages 20,000 young people daily in cleaning Nairobi’s rivers and enhancing the city’s environmental sustainability.
Participants earn wages for 10 days of work cycles, contributing to both their livelihood and the restoration of the city’s ecosystems.
“This initiative embodies our approach to solving two issues at once: unemployment and environmental degradation,” said President Ruto during the launch.
“By equipping our youth with jobs, we ensure they stay away from crime while helping us build a cleaner, greener Nairobi.”
In addition to Climate Worx, the government is leveraging its ambitious affordable housing and social housing projects to employ more than 100,000 youth in Nairobi.
Active construction sites in areas like Mukuru, Kibera, Shauri Moyo, and Jevanjee offer young people stable income and skills development.
These projects aim to address not just housing needs but also economic disparities that often fuel insecurity.
Dr. Omollo said the broader vision behind these initiatives providing young people with alternatives to crime.
“We’re empowering them to take charge of their futures,” he said.
The government is also investing in market infrastructure to support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
Four new markets have been completed, with 20 more at various stages of construction.
These markets aim to provide business opportunities for Nairobi residents, fostering economic growth at the grassroots level.
Security experts agree that such socio-economic interventions are essential to curbing crime in the long term.
“Idle youth are more susceptible to criminal activities and gang recruitment,” said Dr. Njenga Maina, a criminologist based in Nairobi.
“Engaging them through meaningful work and skills training reduces these risks significantly.”
In Mukuru and Kibera, some of Nairobi’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, the impact of these initiatives is already being felt.
“I used to worry about my son getting involved with the wrong crowd,” said Mary Achieng, a resident of Mukuru.
“Now he’s working on a housing project, and it’s changed his outlook completely.”
President Ruto has reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding these initiatives across Nairobi and beyond.
“Youth empowerment is a necessity for a secure and prosperous Kenya,” he said recently.
