In a post on X on Friday, December 12, 2025, following President William Ruto’s Jamhuri Day address at Nyayo Stadium, Kuria highlighted the challenges facing Kenya’s youth as they transition from school to the job market.
He stressed that while building roads, railways, and other major projects is important, these initiatives are not enough to guarantee jobs or livelihoods for the growing population of young people.
“Reflections on Jamhuri Day: 1.1 million students graduated from KJSEA this year. This is the first time we have crossed the one million mark,” Kuria wrote.
“Reflections on Jamhuri Day: 1.1 million students graduated from KJSEA this year. This is the first time we have crossed the one million mark,” Kuria wrote.
He noted that these young people will soon be entering the workforce, with many seeking employment within the next three years.
Kuria acknowledged that infrastructure is essential for national growth, particularly in improving mobility, trade, and connectivity. However, he warned that concrete, asphalt, and expressways alone cannot address the deeper challenge of unemployment.
Kuria acknowledged that infrastructure is essential for national growth, particularly in improving mobility, trade, and connectivity. However, he warned that concrete, asphalt, and expressways alone cannot address the deeper challenge of unemployment.
“It’s okay and good to build dual carriageways, expressways, and rail projects,” he said.
“But these alone will not solve the problem of jobs for our youth.”
The former CS urged the government to focus on sustainable job creation led by the private sector. He emphasized the need to support industries, entrepreneurs, and investors who can provide long-term employment opportunities.
The former CS urged the government to focus on sustainable job creation led by the private sector. He emphasized the need to support industries, entrepreneurs, and investors who can provide long-term employment opportunities.
Without deliberate action in this area, Kuria warned, Kenya could face serious social and economic pressures.
Kuria’s warning comes just hours after President Ruto outlined ambitious infrastructure plans, including new highways, road upgrades, and transport projects across the country.
Kuria’s warning comes just hours after President Ruto outlined ambitious infrastructure plans, including new highways, road upgrades, and transport projects across the country.
While he recognized the importance of these initiatives, Kuria urged policymakers not to overlook the immediate need for employment opportunities for young Kenyans.
“The number of young people joining the job market in the next three years is massive,” Kuria explained.
“The number of young people joining the job market in the next three years is massive,” Kuria explained.
“If we do not plan ahead and create meaningful work opportunities, very soon there will be nowhere to hide.” He concluded with a blunt warning, using the Swahili phrase, “Kitatulamba,” suggesting that the consequences of neglecting youth employment will eventually catch up with the nation.
Kuria’s message highlights a growing concern among Kenyan leaders and economists: that infrastructure alone, while visually impressive and vital for development, cannot directly translate into jobs for the increasing number of school graduates.
Kuria’s message highlights a growing concern among Kenyan leaders and economists: that infrastructure alone, while visually impressive and vital for development, cannot directly translate into jobs for the increasing number of school graduates.
Experts argue that without complementary investments in skills development, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth, the country risks leaving millions of young people without meaningful work.
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