The government has announced plans to recruit 100,000 youths under the revived Kazi Mtaani program, marking a major expansion of the youth employment initiative across the country.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo confirmed the development during an interview on Ramogi FM on Tuesday night, revealing that the government had secured funds to roll out the program in the remaining 46 counties.
“Kazi Mtaani is set to resume in other counties, and the government has a target of recruiting 100,000 youth into the program,” Omollo stated, noting that the earlier suspension was due to budgetary constraints.
Initially launched in April 2020 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kazi Mtaani provided employment to thousands of young Kenyans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was, however, discontinued in 2022 by President William Ruto, who shifted focus to the affordable housing agenda.
The initiative was revived in June 2025 under the Climate Workx Youth Employment Initiative, part of the broader Climate Resilience Service Programme (CRSP). During the relaunch, applications opened on June 3 and closed after ten days, attracting an overwhelming response from across the country.
According to Dr. Omollo, more than 400,000 applicants expressed interest in joining the program four times the initial target.
He said the government was exploring ways to secure additional resources to accommodate the excess applicants.
“We are working to ensure that even those not captured in the first phase will eventually benefit through training, business support, and cash incentives,” he added.
Through the NYOTA Youth Engagement Platform, the government will also support youth training and entrepreneurship.
About 90,000 young people will receive technical and vocational training to equip them with hands-on skills for the job market.
At least 100,000 young people will benefit from a business funding component designed to promote economic empowerment among the youth.
The program will also recognize prior learning for individuals who have acquired technical skills through informal work or apprenticeships, enabling them to earn official certification and improve their employability.
The expanded Kazi Mtaani initiative is expected to create jobs in areas such as road maintenance, environmental conservation, housing, and other public works, as part of the government ’s broader plan to tackle unemployment among youths and strengthen community resilience.