Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration for politicizing his Kazi Mtaani project.
Speaking at the ongoing inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit, which began on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Uhuru pointed out that the project was designed to help create jobs for Kenyans who were struggling to find work.
He expressed his disappointment with Ruto’s decision to end the initiative, saying it was a necessary program for those who needed it most.Uhuru stated that the Kazi Mtaani program was never a political tool, as some had suggested.
“Unlike what some people tried to indicate that this was a political agenda, it was totally aimed at ensuring Kenyans who were unable to go to their places of work had an opportunity to earn a living and support their families,” he said.
He emphasized that the project was about helping ordinary Kenyans, especially those who were unemployed or in vulnerable situations.
The Kazi Mtaani project was launched during Uhuru Kenyatta’s time in office as part of efforts to address the country’s unemployment problem.
The program aimed at providing temporary employment for youth and other vulnerable individuals by engaging them in community development activities, including cleaning up public spaces and improving infrastructure.
Uhuru argued that the project was necessary to reduce the unemployment rate and help individuals put food on the table during difficult times.
However, Ruto, who became president in September 2022, terminated the Kazi Mtaani program just a month after taking office.
The decision to end the project came on October 25, 2022, and was based on Ruto’s belief that the program was not sustainable and did not offer enough opportunities for the youth.
In his explanation, Ruto argued that the project had low income and limited growth potential for young people.
He claimed that it was not an effective long-term solution to the country’s employment challenges.
Instead of continuing Kazi Mtaani, Ruto introduced his Housing agenda, which focuses on building affordable homes for Kenyans. He promoted this initiative as a way to create more sustainable job opportunities for the youth, particularly in the construction industry.
Ruto asked young people to look for work on construction sites, which he believes will provide better prospects for them in the long run.
Uhuru, however, disagreed with Ruto’s reasoning and criticized the new approach. He argued that the termination of Kazi Mtaani would leave many vulnerable Kenyans without the support they desperately needed.
While Ruto’s Housing project may create jobs in the construction sector, Uhuru believes it doesn’t address the immediate needs of those struggling with unemployment.
The exchange between the two leaders highlights the growing political divide between the Kenya Kwanza administration and the previous regime.
Uhuru’s Kazi Mtaani project was part of his efforts to tackle unemployment, but Ruto has opted for a different approach that he believes will have a more lasting impact on the economy.
However, the debate continues on whether the Housing agenda can truly provide a viable solution for the many young Kenyans still seeking employment.
