By Lauryne Akoth
President Ruto on Wednesday noted that his government has a deliberate plan for creating more job opportunities.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations, the head of state noted that currently 140,000 youths are employed under the affordable housing program.
“We have 140,000 young people who were not working last year, but they are working this year in our housing program,” said President Ruto.
He additionally noted that his government has employed 120,000 youths across TVETS and ICT digital hubs. ” We have another 120,000 young people TVETS, in our ICT hubs today who are earning salaries and have jobs, a digital job, 120,000 who did not have that job last year,” noted the head of state.
He credited the availability of jobs to his government’s commitment to creating job opportunities for youths.
He further stated that his administration is restructuring labour migration and entering into bilateral labour agreements to generate additional employment opportunities for Kenyans.
” It is my intention that every year we should be able to send 250,000 Kenyans to work in different parts of the world so that we can enhance and increase the number of people working abroad and also enhance our remittances from abroad,” he said.
The president declared that from last year to this year, remittances from abroad had surged to 50 billion, emphasizing his intention to raise the remittances from $4 billion to $10 billion over the next five years.
Moreover, he urged doctors to resume their duties noting that the government agreed to 17 out of 19 of their demands except two due to financial constraints.
” Nawauliza madaktari wetu warudi kazini, mambo tutarekebisha, uchumi tutazalisha na kila mtu atapata haki yake tukisonga mbele,” said Ruto.
He warned leaders against prioritizing popularity among Kenyans in their decision-making, stressing the importance of honesty and fulfilling their elected responsibilities. He observed that many leaders invest excessive effort into seeking popularity.
“Leadership and the transformation of the country is not going to happen if we do not focus on why we were elected,” said the President.