By Aoma Keziah,
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has outlined what he termed as significant achievements made by President William Ruto’s administration as it enters its third year in office, saying that the government has made headway in areas ranging from agriculture and jobs to education, digital transformation, and healthcare.
Speaking on Monday at Harambee House, he noted that agriculture had received renewed focus, with reforms in coffee, tea, sugar, and cotton aimed at lifting rural communities.
“ Six cotton ginneries have been revived in Busia, Bungoma, Kitui, and Embu, creating 700 jobs, while an additional 23,000 rural jobs have come from cotton farming, ginning, and textile ventures. Distribution of grain dryers, he said, is expected to support cooperatives and small enterprises while generating about 10,000 new jobs,” Mwaura stated.
He further said that support for small businesses and local enterprises has also been stepped up.
“The refurbishment of 31 Constituency Industrial Development Centres is projected to create 9,000 jobs. The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority has supported more than 2,000 youth jobs and linked businesses to markets across the region, giving young entrepreneurs new access to financing and formal opportunities,” he added.
On the digital front, Mwaura said the government’s investment in the digital superhighway is reshaping livelihoods. Nearly 300,000 jobs have been created in freelancing, e-commerce, and the creative industry.
“More than 50,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable and over 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots now connect communities, while 404 digital hubs are offering training and services. Around 1.9 million youth have been trained in ICT, coding, and related fields, and over 21,000 government services are available online,” he continued to state.
On Education and human capital, he highlighted that development remain central to the administration’s agenda.
“Since 2022, 76,000 teachers have been hired, with 24,000 new positions recently advertised. Labour export agreements with several countries have enabled more than 450,000 Kenyans, including nurses, to secure work abroad,” he underscored.
On matters health, he said that services are also being strengthened, over 18,800 Community Health Promoters have been trained and supplied with equipment, while 71,000 more are receiving a monthly stipend to support primary healthcare at the community level.
Mwaura also reported that investments in industry and Special Economic Zones are creating steady jobs.
“ Employment within Export Processing Zones has grown by 14,000, while new industrial zones are expected to add another 5,000 jobs. Special Economic Zones alone have generated about 11,000 new opportunities,” he continued to say.
On Tourism and the creative economy, he said they are also contributing to growth, employing millions directly and indirectly.
“Modernization of theatres, music halls, and art galleries has created fresh avenues for young creatives, with over 1,000 jobs reported. Meanwhile, 32,839 youth have been trained in entrepreneurship and received KSh 400 million in loans,” he added.
He further insisted that the Blue Economy is another area being tapped for employment, training programs for nearly 900 young people in modern fishing practices which he said are opening safer and more profitable ventures for coastal communities.
The government spokesperson concluded by saying that the Kenya Kwanza administration remains focused on building a fairer society and raising living standards under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Mt Kenya Times