Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki stated that the practice of hiring youth to heckle political opponents must cease, emphasizing that young people represent a valuable asset for advancing national development.
According to Prof. Kindiki, certain opposition leaders manipulate youth for personal political gain by providing small payments to harass opponents, without addressing their fundamental need for sustainable livelihoods.
He observed: ‘These leaders pay mere 100 shillings for youth to heckle opponents at rallies. They encourage attacks against rivals, compensate online insults, and treat young people as mere voting machines. They offer no meaningful improvement to their lives or development plans.’
The Deputy President made these remarks on Wednesday at Alliance High Grounds in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County, while attending the graduation ceremony of 1,880 youth sponsored by the Kikuyu NG-CDF for vocational training across multiple disciplines.
The graduates acquired skills in masonry, electrical installation, plumbing, painting, welding, tiling, catering, cosmetology, barista work, and CNA caregiving, among others, through the constituency fund led by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah, who also serves as National Assembly Leader of the Majority.
“Our approach fundamentally differs from theirs. We empower youth through deliberate and practical initiatives, striving to secure employment and sustainable income for them. This transforms them into valuable contributors to our nation’s progress, which is essential for our country’s advancement,” Prof. Kindiki stated.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to generating employment through targeted programs, the Deputy President declared that it is no longer tolerable for politicians without vision to exploit unemployed youth for malicious purposes.
“The era of politicians viewing youth merely as thugs, hecklers, online commentators, or voting machines has ended. The future hinges on which leaders present superior visions and concrete plans for youth employment and job creation,” he added.
The Deputy President outlined several government initiatives launched since 2022 designed to employ youth and create employment opportunities across various platformslocal, national, online, and international.
The construction of affordable housing, modern markets, and hostels has created employment for 550,000 individuals, with an ambitious goal of reaching one million jobs by the following year.
The program has engaged engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, electricians, masons, plumbers, and other professionals essential to the success of this national initiative.
The Kazi Mtandaoni program has secured online employment for over 300,000 youth, with plans to expand to more beneficiaries this year. Concurrently, the Kazi Majuu initiative has enabled 540,000 young people to secure employment opportunities abroad.
Within the education sector, 100,000 teachers have been hired over the past three years. Additionally, 3,300 tutors have been recruited for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers.
TVET enrollment has increased from 297,000 to 718,000 since 2022, thanks to strategic policy measures that have boosted interest in vocational training centers.
This expansion resulted from a substantial increase in the Ministry of Education’s annual budget, which grew from Ksh.500 billion in 2022 to Ksh.765 billion by 2026.
“We are diligently working to ensure our youth receive both education and skills necessary for improved livelihoods. Education without practical skills remains incomplete,” he emphasized. “We have strengthened our support for education, increased funding, hired additional teachers, and enhanced infrastructure.”
The second phase of the NYOTA empowerment program is nearing completion following the remarkable success of its initial implementation.
Attendees included Mr. Ichungwah, Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamucomba, NGCDF Board Chairman Olago Aluoch, and several MCAs.