President William Ruto has pledged to expand youth employment in both the Climate Worx and affordable housing programmes, aiming to double current figures within the next three months.
During a tour of Soweto, Nairobi, on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Ruto assured residents that the government would not only scale up job opportunities but also invest in major community infrastructure.
“In September, I will be coming back to begin the construction of a stadium here in Jacaranda alongside a school, hospital and a social hall.”
Ruto acknowledged the ongoing unemployment crisis among the youth, noting that although 20,000 young people are currently engaged through the Climate Worx initiative, that number is set to double.
“I understand that we still have a significant majority of the youth who are unemployed. Currently, I have at least 20,000 youth working in the Climate Worx initiative, but on Monday, July 21, 2025, I will double the number to 40,000,” he said.
The President also highlighted the progress made under the affordable housing and market projects, which he said have already provided jobs to over 300,000 youth nationwide.
“I have instructed the Cabinet Secretary and her Principal Secretary to ensure that in the next three months, we want to increase the number to 600,000,” Ruto added.
Ruto Slams Opposition Leaders
At the same time, President William Ruto challenged political rivals to produce their own proposals for creating jobs, instead of inciting violence. He dismissed violence and destruction as unacceptable alternatives, urging leaders to focus on meaningful solutions.
“What is your plan? It cannot be that your plan is to incite and pay young people to destroy property and burn businesses. That is not acceptable,” he said.
Speaking in Dandora during an inspection of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, the President encouraged young people to reject leaders who offer no real answers to the nation’s problems, especially unemployment.
“Do not accept to be led by leaders who have no plan and those driven by tribalism and hatred,” he said.
The President explained that Kenya cannot grow in a climate of chaos and ethnic division. He said lasting job opportunities can only emerge in a peaceful and stable environment.
“We have no time for violence, chaos, and ethnicity. We want to build our country,” he said.
Nairobi River to Get Sewer Lines, Eco-Friendly Walkways, Cycle Lanes, and Social Housing
Under the Nairobi River Regeneration project, the government will construct 54 kilometers of new sewerage pipes along the Nairobi River to block raw sewage from polluting the water.
In addition, the project will offer 10,000 social housing units along the riverbank, alongside the construction of social halls, community parks, and new public toilets.
Footpaths and bike lanes will be built on the riverbanks, and the routes will be electrified for security, through the Climate Worx component. The plan also includes the construction of 44 pedestrian and non-motorized bridges to ease movement across the river.
The government will also expand the Kariobangi wastewater treatment plant to strengthen the city’s sewer treatment capacity. Traders will benefit from newly constructed modern markets, while extensive tree planting along the riverbanks will help prevent soil erosion and promote biodiversity.
While the social housing units will be distributed across Nairobi, all other phase one projects will be implemented along a 27.2-kilometer stretch of the Nairobi River, from Naivasha Road to Dandora Falls.
Phase two of the programme will extend regeneration efforts to the Mathare and Ngong Rivers.
President William Ruto reaffirmed that the Nairobi River Regeneration project is not just about infrastructure, it also includes aquaculture, sewage systems, markets, and social housing. He assured the public that every element of the project is on track to be finished by January 15, 2027.
