Moses Kuria: What I achieved for Kenya Kwanza as Trade CS
By Joel Masibo, October 4, 2025Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has reflected on his tenure handling the docket two years after leaving office.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Kuria noted that he achieved key objectives in the Ministry, among them launching Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Kuria has, however, noted that two years after leaving the Ministry of Trade, his dream of making Kenya a foreign investment hub and creating employment for the youth looks bleak.
”Today is the 4th of October. Exactly 2 years ago, I left the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. I had huge dreams for our country. I dreamt of rapid industrialisation. I launched County Aggregation and Industrial Parks. I launched many Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones. I led huge efforts in bilateral trade and regional integration,” Kuria noted.’
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Despite the failed dream, Moses Kuria still believes in the country’s potential, despite expressing disappointment in the current state of affairs in Kenya’s industrialisation sector.
”I dreamt that Kenya would be a heaven for foreign direct investments and business process outsourcing to create millions of jobs for Gen Z. Looking back at the last 2 years, I am disappointed that this dream has been extinguished. But I refuse to give up on Kenya. We still have a great country with immense potential,” Kuria added.
NYOTA project rolled out
Meanwhile, as Kuria reflects on his tenure at the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation, President William Ruto has committed to empowering the youth through the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises among young people nationwide.
Speaking during the roll-out of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project at the State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Ruto asked Principal Secretaries to prepare for the nationwide implementation of the multi-billion shilling initiative to curb joblessness among the youth at the grassroots.
”We are committed to investing in our young people by driving policies and programmes that expand opportunities in both employment and business. In partnership with the World Bank, we are rolling out the Ksh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, a flagship initiative that will support 100,000 youth nationwide, with 70 beneficiaries identified from each of the country’s 1,450 wards,” Ruto announced.
The NYOTA project will see each young person receive a Ksh50,000 grant to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey. The meeting also brought together officials from the ministries of MSMEs, Sports and Youth, led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, to ensure a whole-of-government approach.