Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Ruto said the programme would train between 600,000 and one million youths on how to benefit from government tenders through the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme.
The President explained that the initiative was intended to increase the participation of young people in public procurement and create more opportunities for them to establish businesses.
Under the AGPO programme, 30 per cent of government procurement opportunities are reserved for young people, women and persons with disabilities.
Ruto said successful participants would receive certificates after completing the training. They would also benefit from free business name registration to help them establish enterprises and participate in government tenders.
The announcement comes as the government seeks to expand economic opportunities for young people through public procurement and business development initiatives.
At the same time, Ruto revealed plans to establish a modern leather manufacturing facility in partnership with a South Korean investor.
The proposed factory will complement the government's KSh5.8 billion investment in the Kenya Leather Industrial Park in Kenanie, Machakos County.
According to the President, the planned facility has an ambition of producing one million pairs of shoes, creating employment opportunities and supporting local manufacturing.
He added that government institutions, including the National Police Service and other security agencies, would provide markets for locally manufactured footwear.
The President said the government was committed to promoting locally produced goods and reducing dependence on imported finished products.
He maintained that expanding industrial production alongside trade opportunities would help Kenyan businesses access markets across Africa and other international destinations.
The leather industry investment is expected to strengthen local manufacturing, encourage private investment and create additional employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, the government training programme is expected to give thousands of young entrepreneurs the skills and knowledge needed to compete for public tenders.
The initiative could also increase youth participation in business and strengthen the role of small enterprises in Kenya's economy.
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