Mutua: Over 6m jobs created under Ruto

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Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced that more than 6.2 million jobs have been created during President William Ruto’s tenure, which began in 2022.

He attributed the employment gains to ongoing economic reforms and development programmes across various sectors, which he said have significantly expanded job opportunities in the country.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations on Friday, Mutua said the figures reflect what he termed as “unprecedented progress” in Kenya’s labour sector, driven by targeted government interventions in both public and private sectors.

“A lot of progress and especially in the labour sector. Let me give figures, because figures don’t lie, Your Excellency,” Mutua said.

He reported that the public service alone has employed about1.895 million people, with key sub-sectors contributing significantly to the total workforce expansion.

According to the CS, the education sector has absorbed over 128,000 teachers, strengthening service delivery in schools across the country.

County governments, he added, have employed close to 60,000 workers, contributing to devolution-driven job creation and local service delivery.

Mutua further highlighted gains in flagship government programmes, noting that the housing sector has created 640,442 jobs, while the Kazi Mtaani initiative has generated 583,868 employment opportunities.

He also pointed to the digital economy, which he said has created 316,806 jobs, reflecting a growing shift toward technology-based employment.

The CS also referenced national youth empowerment programmes such as Nyota, which continue to expand opportunities for young people entering the labour market.

In the public sector and broader economy, Mutua said the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector remains the largest contributor.

"In the public sector, the SME sector has generated 2.1 million jobs," he said.

The CS said the hotel and restaurant industry has created approximately 1.5 million jobs, while the manufacturing sector has generated 443,000 positions.

Other sectors also reported steady growth, with transport and communication contributing around 75,000 jobs, and construction adding another 50,000 jobs.

He said additional employment has also been generated in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, though figures were not fully captured in his breakdown.

“If you add the figures that I’ve mentioned, Your Excellency, we are talking about over 6.2 million jobs created by your government,” Mutua stated.

The Labour CS attributed the job growth to sustained investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, affordable housing, and enterprise development programmes aimed at boosting economic activity and reducing unemployment.

He emphasised that the government remains committed to expanding employment opportunities, particularly for young people transitioning from training institutions into the job market.

Mutua reiterated that continued collaboration between government, employers, and the private sector will be key to sustaining the momentum and ensuring that job creation remains aligned with Kenya’s long-term development agenda.