President William Ruto has pledged to double the number of youth engaged in the Climate WorX programme and Affordable Housing Initiative within the next three months, as part of his administration’s effort to curb rising youth unemployment.
Speaking during a development tour in Soweto, Nairobi on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the president outlined new initiatives set to transform the region, including the construction of a stadium, school, hospital, and social hall at Jacaranda Grounds.
“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 announced.
Expanding Climate WorX
The Climate WorX programme—a flagship project focused on environmental restoration and green job creation—currently employs 20,000 youth. According to Ruto, this number will increase to 40,000 beginning Monday, July 21, 2025.
“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, I will double the number to 40,000,” he stated.
Climate WorX involves river clean-ups, tree planting, and green corridor development, promoting ecological health while creating employment for youth and women in urban and peri-urban areas.
Affordable Housing: From 300,000 to 600,000 Jobs
President Ruto also revealed that the Affordable Housing Programme, a key component of his administration’s development agenda, currently employs 300,000 youth and will expand to 600,000 workers within three months.
“We have youth working in our affordable housing units and markets across the country who are at least 300,000. I have instructed the Cabinet Secretary and her Principal Secretary to ensure that in the next three months, we increase the number to 600,000,” said the president.
The Affordable Housing Programme is being implemented across the country, with a focus on low-cost units, market construction, and urban renewal, all of which are expected to absorb thousands more into the workforce.
River Restoration and Urban Resilience
Ruto stressed the ecological impact of unregulated developments along riparian areas like the Nairobi River, which have contributed to flooding, loss of life, and the destruction of natural ecosystems.
The Climate WorX programme is designed to restore such rivers and ecosystems, reinforcing the country’s climate resilience efforts while creating dignified jobs.
Defending His Record on Youth Employment
Pressed about the youth unemployment crisis in the wake of recent Gen Z protests, President Ruto defended his government, arguing that his administration inherited the problem, but is the first to have a concrete employment strategy.
“The crisis did not start with my regime. I’m being criticized despite being the only president with a solid plan for solving unemployment,” Ruto said.
He also highlighted his government’s success in facilitating jobs abroad, noting that hundreds of thousands of Kenyans have been placed in international employment opportunities under bilateral labor agreements.
Conclusion
The doubling of opportunities under Climate WorX and Affordable Housing is expected to provide relief to the country’s growing unemployed youth population, while also supporting national goals on climate resilience and urban development.
As Kenya grapples with economic uncertainty and public discontent, the effectiveness of these promises may be key to restoring public confidence and stabilizing the political climate ahead of the 2027 general election.
