President William Ruto has said he provides internship opportunities to between 10 and 15 university students at his farm, urging businesses to offer similar placements to help young people gain practical work experience.
Ruto said the students receive stipends during their internships, allowing them to apply the knowledge acquired in college to real-life working environments.
The President called on businesses and employers to open up opportunities for young people in factories, industries, manufacturing facilities and trading enterprises.
“I am a farmer. I provide internships for between 10 and 15 young people from universities at my farm. We pay them a stipend, and I have interacted with them. They are very interesting young people because they have learnt so much in college, but they want to see it on the ground,” he said.
He said internships lasting six months or a year would expose young people to practical work experience while helping employers identify and develop potential future employees.
“It would give many of our young people an opportunity for a year or for six months to be able to be in a place where real work experience is happening,” Ruto said.
He added that businesses would also play a role in sharpening the skills of young people, mentoring them and preparing them for employment.
Ruto said such placements would help interns understand how industries operate and inspire them to pursue opportunities in different sectors.
The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening Kenya's manufacturing sector, saying local enterprises have the potential to produce world-class goods and compete in regional and global markets.
Ruto said this after touring exhibition stands at the Industrialisation Summit and Changamka Festival at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where local manufacturers are showcasing Kenyan-made products.
He said the quality and diversity of products on display demonstrated the country's manufacturing potential and the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs.
“From established industries to emerging enterprises, the products on show demonstrate our capacity to produce world-class goods, create value and compete in regional and global markets,” he said.
The President said the government would focus on creating an enabling environment to attract investment, encourage innovation and expand production.
He added that the administration was committed to sustaining the momentum by supporting Kenyan enterprises to manufacture, add value, grow and thrive.
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