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Ruto to the youth: Get out of your homes to get jobs we have created for you
President William Ruto lays a foundation stone at Whitehouse Diani's Affordable Housing Project in Kwale County on February 25, 2025. Looking on are Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani.
What you need to know:
- Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tezo Affordable Housing Project in Kilifi North Constituency, President Ruto said the government had provided job opportunities, and it was the youth’s responsibility to pursue them.
- "As Kenya moves forward, we must also ensure Kilifi develops. I want to tell the youth that we have planned job opportunities for you, but employment will not come knocking at your door. You must leave your homes and seek jobs in these projects," he said.
President William Ruto has challenged the youth to be aggressive, step out of their comfort zones, and seek jobs when government-sponsored opportunities arise.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tezo Affordable Housing Project in Kilifi North Constituency, President Ruto said the government had provided job opportunities, and it was the youth’s responsibility to pursue them.
"As Kenya moves forward, we must also ensure Kilifi develops. I want to tell the youth that we have planned job opportunities for you, but employment will not come knocking at your door. You must leave your homes and seek jobs in these projects," he said.
President Ruto said the youths must go and get the jobs that are available in the affordable housing projects and other government development programmes.
According to the President, job opportunities exist at government affordable housing projects in the Coast region, and specifically Kilifi County, including 1,000 units at Tezo, 1,500 at Mtwapa, 1,000 in Malindi, 500 at Watamu, 500 at Bofa, and 500 in Kilifi Town.
The president said that the government intended to use the Indian Ocean as a source of economic growth.
“We are building a fish landing site worth Sh250 million, and by September, it will be complete. After that, we will provide 125 fishing boats to ensure our youth can go to sea for ten days and bring back fish for value addition. This is a task that requires hard work. Work closely with your MCAs and MPs so we can move forward together,” said the President.
The president, who was on his fourth-day tour at the Coast, also promised the residents to end squatter-related issues by the end of 2025.
He said that his government would ensure that the perennial problem is sorted and Kenyans at the coast will have homes by setting aside funds to buy the lands with absentee landlords.
“Many people here do not own land and live as squatters. This is a serious problem, and we are committed to solving it. This is the year we will provide a solution to the land question that has troubled Kenyans for decades,’ said Dr Ruto.
Despite potential criticism, the president defended his broad-based government, composed of both government and opposition members, to the Tezo residents, asserting that it aimed to improve the lives of Kenyans.
He explained that he had agreed to join hands with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga for the sake of the country.
“We are uniting to push Kenya forward. In this broad-based government, we are all working together for the development of our people. The Coastal people have been marginalized for a very long time and this comes to an end with this government,” he said.
The government pledged to complete Pwani University projects, build a hostel at the university, a hospital at Tezo, and schools, and expand the Pwani University -Ganze road to improve the region's infrastructure.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet Secretary Mining Blue Economy Hassan Joho, Cabinet Secretary Youth Affairs Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary Lands Alice Wahome, Governor Gideon Mung’aro, area MP Owen Baya, Amina Mnyazi among others.
DP Kindiki lauded the president’s efforts in uniting the people of Kenya for the sake of the country.
“The President has said that for Kenya to progress, we must work together and form an inclusive government. Speaker Kingi and Governor Mung’aro will ensure the squatter issue is fully addressed,” said Prof Kindiki.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro said that his government was in support of the National Government and that the two would work together for the sake of the people of the county.
“A modern market is needed in Tezo to serve both current and future residents of new housing projects, eliminating roadside trading,” said Governor Mung’aro.
Mr Joho asked Coast residents to support William Ruto so that he would support them later when they needed to ascend into power.
“Sh255 million means our fishermen will no longer struggle to find markets. We're building a modern fish landing site with the facilities they deserve. If President Ruto is bringing development, then why should we continue with political divisions?,” said Mr Joho.
Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi asked the residents to support President Ruto’s second term bid. Earlier, the President commissioned the Sh2 billion Last Mile Connectivity in the Sabaki ward in the Magarini constituency. The project will benefit 20,000 people.
