President William Ruto has unveiled a bold initiative to empower young people, women, and persons with disabilities by expanding their access to government procurement opportunities, a move aimed at boosting economic inclusion nationwide.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, January 8, 2026, President Ruto said the program will train a substantial number of participants to take advantage of reserved government contracts.
“To enable young people, women and persons with disability participate in government procurement, we will train 600,000 of them to access 30 per cent of the opportunities reserved for these categories of people,” he stated.
The President explained that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle unemployment and poverty. It complements other government programs, including affordable housing, labour mobility, digital job expansion, and market development.
“Together with labour mobility and affordable housing programmes, development of markets and hostels, and the expansion of digital jobs, we are confronting unemployment and eradicating poverty,” Ruto wrote.
In addition, the program includes a practical skills component, offering young people hands-on experience under the mentorship of master craftsmen and women.
“At the same time, we will support another 90,000 young people to undergo on-the-job training. They will be attached to master craftsmen and women for skills transfer, and receive a KSh6,000 stipend a month for six months. The master craftsmen will also be paid as the government also meets the cost of certification,” he said.
President Ruto made the announcement while overseeing the disbursement of business start-up capital under the Nyota North Rift Cluster initiative in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
By combining targeted training, financial support, and mentorship, the program aims to develop a generation of skilled and economically independent Kenyans. It is expected to strengthen the workforce, reduce reliance on informal employment, and create long-term pathways for young people, women, and persons with disabilities to participate fully in state and private-sector opportunities.
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