NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto on Friday launched the Next Generation Youth Employment Programme (NextGen.KE), a national initiative aimed at equipping young Kenyans with practical workplace experience, employability skills and entrepreneurship training to enhance their access to jobs.
The programme, a partnership between the Government of Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other development partners, will initially support 30,000 young people through private-sector internships and specialised skills development before expanding to reach 100,000 beneficiaries over the next three years.
Speaking during the launch at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto said the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by helping young people gain the practical experience required in today’s labour market.
“Internships are not simply temporary jobs or stepping stones. They are the bridge between learning and earning, between potential and performance, and between ambition and achievement,” the President said.
Under the programme, 15,000 university and college graduates will be placed in stipend-supported internships within the private sector. The remaining beneficiaries will undergo training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, workplace readiness and life skills to improve their employability and support business creation.
Ruto said the government has allocated Sh2 billion to the initiative this financial year, describing the investment as part of a broader strategy to unlock the country’s demographic dividend by empowering young people with market-relevant skills.
“Today, we take another decisive step. NextGen.KE is a landmark partnership. Over the next three years, it will accelerate inclusive youth economic transformation by connecting young people with meaningful work experience and practical skills,” he said.
The President encouraged young Kenyans to view their first jobs as opportunities to learn and build professional competence rather than focusing solely on immediate earnings.
“Your first job is not merely a source of income. It is your next great classroom,” he said.
Ruto also called on private sector employers to partner with the government by offering internship placements, mentorship and workplace exposure, arguing that stronger collaboration between government, businesses and development partners is essential in tackling youth unemployment.