President William Ruto has delivered a candid message on the importance of linking education to employment during the International Youth Day celebrations in Kakamega County on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Speaking to a vibrant crowd of young people and leaders, he warned that Kenya’s substantial investment in education risks being wasted without deliberate strategies to create jobs for graduates.

“Unless we sort out Education, we will not be able to sufficiently empower young people and our human capital to deliver for Kenyans,” President Ruto said. He emphasised that Kenya spends an astonishing Ksh650 billion each year to educate learners nationwide, yet much of this investment is wasted without concrete plans to ensure graduates secure meaningful employment.

Ruto highlighted progress in the education sector, noting that by January next year, the government will have hired 100,000 teachers, reducing the shortage, with only 16,000 more needed to fully close the gap. He praised the new student-centred education model, stating it is already yielding results.

“Universities can pay their staff, pay bills and suppliers, and run courses well, unlike the old model,” he said.

However, the president was clear that the real challenge lies beyond education funding.

“I say it is not right to spend 30 per cent to educate the children when we don’t have a plan on how they will get jobs,” he cautioned, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that marries education with job creation.

Engaging young people

Recognising the pressing employment crisis among young Kenyans, Ruto announced that the government has developed an “intentional plan” to engage youth in deliberate government programs, supported by the private sector, aimed at creating economic opportunities. The strategy aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping youth with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.

The president’s remarks come at a time when youth unemployment remains a major national concern, despite Kenya’s expanding education sector. His administration is increasingly focused on economic transformation programs, such as youth enterprise funding and skills development, designed to absorb young people into productive ventures.

As Kenya marks International Youth Day, Ruto’s call to action underscores the urgent need for policymakers, educators, and the private sector to collaborate in creating sustainable pathways from education to employment. Without this integration, billions of shillings spent on education risk yielding minimal returns in national development and youth empowerment.

The President’s message was a clear reminder that education alone cannot solve Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis; it must be accompanied by job creation and economic inclusion strategies that ensure learners transition into gainful employment and contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth.