President William Ruto has rolled out a series of youth empowerment programmes worth billions of shillings, in what analysts say is a strategic move to win the youth vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kitui, Kenya, Oct’ 20, 2025 — President William Ruto used this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations to unveil a raft of youth empowerment programmes that analysts say are part of his broader political strategy to secure the youth vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, President Ruto announced that the government had secured KSh 20 billion from the World Bank to support the Nyota Project, which will enable more than 800,000 young Kenyans to access capital and venture into business.
He said the initiative would complement the government’s ongoing youth training and skills programmes targeting over 90,000 young people who previously lacked formal education or technical skills. Through the Recognition of Prior Learning framework, Ruto said skilled but uncertified youth would be examined and awarded certificates to help them access employment or start their own enterprises.
The President also announced plans to launch another business support initiative next week, targeting at least 100,000 youth aged between 19 and 29 years, each set to receive KSh 50,000 to expand their ventures. Inspections of eligible youth-owned businesses across all 290 constituencies are set to begin on October 24, with disbursement expected to start on November 4, 2025. However, Ruto did not clarify whether the funds would be grants or loans.
Observers say the initiatives are politically timed, portraying Ruto as a pro-youth leader while strengthening his connection with Kenya’s largest voting bloc.
His decision to invite Senegal’s youthful President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the Mashujaa Day chief guest was also viewed as symbolic — signalling Ruto’s effort to align himself with Africa’s new generation of young reformist leaders.
Political analysts argue that the President’s youth-focused agenda and promises of funding, training, and innovation support mirror his 2022 campaign strategy that centred on the “Hustler Nation” narrative, which resonated with millions of unemployed young people.
Ruto also took a subtle jab at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accusing him of failing to spur development in the Ukambani region despite holding senior government positions for decades. “Ukambani has lagged behind for years,” Ruto said, contrasting his administration’s infrastructure and development promises with what he termed as years of neglect.
The youth programmes, Ruto said, are part of a wider effort to equip young Kenyans with skills and resources to drive national transformation — but political observers maintain they also mark the opening phase of his 2027 re-election campaign.
