NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 19 – President William Ruto has urged lawmakers to actively identify unemployed youth in their constituencies for negotiated job opportunities in foreign countries.
Speaking at the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary group meeting in Naivasha on Monday, the President emphasized that his overseas trips have yielded job opportunities through bilateral talks and challenged MPs to facilitate the placement of qualified unemployed youth.
“I want you to focus your energy where it matters, as people’s representatives. Let’s connect our youth to these opportunities,” President Ruto urged the MPs.
He disclosed that the government is finalizing a bilateral framework to secure 250,000 jobs in Germany and emphasized the need to seize such opportunities without excuses.
The government had previously pledged to send 3,000 to 5,000 Kenyans abroad weekly to address unemployment.
In addition to job creation efforts, President Ruto criticized coalition MPs opposing the Affordable Housing Program, stressing its role in reducing unemployment. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the project successfully.
“I don’t think there is anyone who needs persuasion on housing… For the places where housing projects have started in Ruiru, crime has gone down,” President Ruto stated.
While acknowledging opposition to the housing project, he urged MPs to support government initiatives, emphasizing the potential for job creation and socioeconomic development.
President Ruto highlighted the employment prospects of the housing project, aiming to create 300,000 jobs by year-end, and criticized opponents, urging a focus on job creation rather than levy deductions.
“Forget about the levy, let’s discuss the jobs. Those who don’t want the program will talk about the levy, but those who support it will emphasize jobs and decent households,” Ruto emphasized.
He expressed appreciation to the judiciary for enabling revenue generation through the Affordable Housing Program after a High Court ruling deemed the levy discriminatory.
Despite the need for Senate scrutiny of the Affordable Housing Bill, tensions persist between the National Government and devolved units regarding housing policy and planning, falling under the jurisdiction of counties.
