On July 24, 2026, at State House, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, launched the NextGen.Ke Youth Employment programme, a ground-breaking national youth employment initiative by the Government of Kenya and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). 

Speaking on the Ksh 2 billion initiative, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto said, “NextGen.Ke will accelerate inclusive youth economic transformation by connecting young people with meaningful work experience and practical skills. Additionally, the private sector must continue opening its workplaces, sharing its knowledge and mentoring the next generation of professionals. Together, we can build a stronger bridge between education and employment, between promise and possibility,”

The President noted that a certificate or degree alone is no longer enough, with young people needing practical experience and industry-ready skills to transition into employment. He emphasised that the success of NextGen.Ke will depend on strong partnerships, with government, development partners and the private sector working together to create meaningful pathways for youth. He commended KEPSA and participating companies for opening their workplaces to young people, noting that the programme will initially support 30,000 young Kenyans over three years, with the Government targeting to scale it to 100,000 beneficiaries.

Speaking at the launch, National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the Government's investment in youth employment is both an economic and social priority, noting that Kenya's young population represents one of the country's greatest comparative advantages. He emphasized that with approximately 75 per cent of the population below the age of 35, equipping young people with skills and practical experience is critical to strengthening the productivity of the workforce, the competitiveness of businesses and the country's capacity to achieve inclusive economic growth.

“From the National Treasury's perspective, this is not simply a labour market issue. It is an economic issue. A country's long-term competitiveness depends on the productivity of its workforce. The more skilled, experienced and productive our young people become, the stronger our businesses, the more competitive our economy, and the greater our capacity to sustain inclusive growth,” said CS Mbadi.

The NextGen.Ke Youth Employment Programme aims to improve education-to-employment pathways for Kenyan youth by connecting graduates with structured stipend-supported placements within private sector organizations, practical skills development through on-the-job training, and continuous mentorship and learning support. UNDP has invested USD 1,350,000 as catalytic funding, while private sector entities like the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) are expected to financially contribute in addition to offering technical expertise. A total of 22 private companies have already taken up 500 interns for the first cohort.

“This programme ticks all the boxes. First, it addresses one of the most pressing national development priorities: youth unemployment. 75 percent of Kenya’s population is under the age of 35, making job creation critical to secure the country’s future. Second, it’s about government development financing, which is key. The government is injecting its own resources into the initiative, demonstrating goodwill and commitment. Third, it looks at the partnership with the private sector. The private sector is the engine for creating jobs for the young generation, and the pathway for turning them into productive assets for the economy.” Dr. Jean-Luc Stalon, Resident Representative of UNDP, said.

As foreign assistance dwindles globally, Kenya leads by example: the government is co-financing initiatives with the private sector led by KEPSA and development partners including UNDP to invest in its own people and create sustainable economic transformation from within. The President also signed into action the Ksh 2 billion allocated by the Treasury for the implementation of the programme. With this strategic government funding, NextGen.Ke isn't just empowering over 30,000 young Kenyans over a three-year period and placements of up to six months; it's revolutionizing how we build their future. 

“What NextGen.Ke gives us is the chance to connect skills, experience, access, employment, entrepreneurship, and job creation pathways into a single national platform at a scale that matches the ambition of Kenya's young people, and the urgency of this moment. This is the kind of collaboration our country needs; government, private sector, and development partners working as one. It also builds on the journey we have taken over the years, from the Kenya Youth Empowerment Programme (KYEP) to initiatives such as Ajira Digital, TVET-E and Twende Digital, through which KEPSA and its partners have continued to equip young people with skills, connect them to opportunities and strengthen enterprises. NextGen.Ke takes this work forward by creating a stronger bridge between skills, experience and sustainable employment,” said Ms. Carole Kariuki, KEPSA CEO. 

Speaking on behalf of employers, KEPSA Chairperson, Dr. Jaswider Bedi, emphasized the critical role of employers in bridging the gap between education and employment and preparing young people for the world of work. He called on more private-sector employers to participate in the programme, noting that businesses are not only creating jobs but also shaping the skills and capabilities of Kenya's future workforce.

“Preparing young people for jobs is only half the equation; the other is ensuring enough jobs exist. That is why the private sector must be at the heart of this conversation. Through NextGen.Ke, we have an opportunity to connect young people to practical workplace experience while strengthening the pipeline of talent that businesses need to grow and remain competitive.”  Said Dr Jas Bedi.

Investing in youth remains a top priority for the Government, partners, and the private sector. Approximately one million young people enter the job market every year, yet only about 25 per cent find formal employment. These statistics point to a need for programmes such as NextGen.Ke, which will, in the long run, directly enhance employability and support the beneficiaries’ transition to permanent employment. 

The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting private-sector employers participating in the initiative and creating an enabling environment for businesses to take on young talent. H.E. President Ruto announced plans to introduce incentives, including tax relief measures, for employers who provide internship opportunities, alongside efforts to establish a sustainable framework for workplace-based learning. The Government called on more businesses to participate in NextGen.Ke, recognising that meaningful youth employment requires a strong partnership with employers who can provide practical experience, mentorship and pathways into long-term employment.

Key Higlights During the Launch 

• H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto officially launched the NextGen.Ke Youth Employment Programme at State House, Nairobi, and signed into action the Ksh 2 billion government allocation supporting its implementation. 
• The NextGen.Ke programme will initially support 30,000 young Kenyans over three years, with the Government targeting to scale the initiative to 100,000 young people who will access structured, stipend-supported private-sector internships, gaining practical workplace experience, professional skills and mentorship. 
• The Government announced plans to introduce incentives, including tax relief measures, for private-sector employers who provide internship opportunities, as part of efforts to encourage greater employer participation and strengthen workplace-based learning.
• Over 22 private-sector companies have already committed to the first cohort of 500 interns, demonstrating the growing commitment of employers to youth employment.
• The launch brought together Government, UNDP, KEPSA, private-sector employers and other partners, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing youth unemployment. 
• The President commended KEPSA and participating companies for opening their workplaces and creating pathways for young people to gain practical experience and transition into employment. 

• The launch reaffirmed the need to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping young people with practical, industry-ready skills.

  The event underscored a shared commitment to investing in Kenya's young people and building sustainable pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunity. 

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About UNDP

As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories, including Kenya, to help people build better lives while protecting the planet.  For 60 years, UNDP has supported countries to make progress on the issues that matter most to their people.  Our work is built on trust and long-term partnerships with governments, communities and organizations at every level.

About KEPSA

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is the apex body of the private sector in Kenya, bringing together businesses, business associations, and chambers of commerce to shape public policy, drive partnerships, and advance sustainable economic growth.  Representing a reach of over 2 million businesses, KEPSA serves as a unified voice of the private sector and has evolved beyond a traditional business advocacy organization into one of Kenya’s largest private-sector platforms, driving youth employment, entrepreneurship, governance, SME growth, digital transformation, women empowerment, and sustainable development.

Media Contacts: 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Gathanga

Digital Communications and Outreach, UNDP Kenya

Email: communication.ke@undp.org

Juliet Chepkoech

Communications Assistant, KEPSA 

Email: jchepkoech@kepsa.or.ke