Latest news with #GovernmentofKenya
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Kenya: UN Expert Urges Immediate Halt To Land Demarcation Violating Ogiek Rights And African Court Judgments
GENEVA (4 June 2025) – A UN expert* today expressed grave concern over the ongoing land demarcation by the Government of Kenya in the Eastern Mau Complex, which threatens ancestral lands of the Ogiek Peoples and contravenes binding judgments of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR). 'These actions risk causing irreparable harm to the Ogiek's land rights, which have been unequivocally upheld by the African Court,' said Albert K. Barume, Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. 'I urge the Government of Kenya to immediately cease all activities that undermine the Ogiek's rights and to fully comply with the Court's rulings.' Despite the AfCHPR's 2017 and 2022 judgments affirming the Ogiek's ownership of their ancestral landsand requiring their restitution, the Kenyan Government has yet to take any actions to return Ogiek lands. A hearing scheduled for November 2024 was postponed at the State's request and is now set for June 2025. In September 2024, Kenya's Environment and Land Court in Nakuru dismissed the Ogiek's claims to their ancestral lands in East Mau, contradicting the AfCHPR's decisions. Meanwhile, from December 2024 to April 2025, the Government convened a series of public forums to discuss how to implement the Nakuru court ruling, criticised as exclusionary and politically driven. These culminated in a rushed demarcation process beginning on 25 April 2025, without the necessary consultations with Ogiek Peoples. 'The demarcation threatens the rights of more than 8,500 Ogiek people in Nessuit, Mariashoni, and Sururu, and endangers ecologically sensitive areas vital for water catchment sustainability,' Barume said. On 6 May 2025, the President of Kenya issued a 250,000-acre land title deed for parts of the Maasai Mau Forest to Narok County, further alarming the Ogiek of Sasimwani, who remain displaced following the 2023 forced evictions of over 700 families. 'We call on Government, all states institutions and Indigenous Peoples to engage in dialogue grounded in mutual respect and human rights,' the Special Rapporteur said. He expressed readiness to visit Kenya to support efforts toward a just and rights-based resolution in line with the AfCHPR's judgments.
DW
4 days ago
- Business
- DW
Kenya: Gen Z questions Ruto's new jobs initiative – DW – 06/06/2025
Kenyan President William Ruto's new youth employment plan promises jobs to 800,000 young Kenyans. But amid economic strain and past unfulfilled pledges, many remain unconvinced. Kenyan President William Ruto announced an ambitious initiative to tackle Kenya's youth unemployment issue earlier this week. The program, dubbed the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), which aims to target over 800,000 young Kenyans, has sparked skepticism among Generation Z — the term generally used to describe people born during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many Gen Zers in Kenya question the feasibility of to tackle youth unemployment amid budget constraints and a track record of unfulfilled pledges. According to the Kenyan leader, the NYOTA project is a 20 billion Kenyan shillings ($154.8 million/€135.5 million) partnership with the World Bank aimed at supporting young Kenyans between 18 and 29 — and up to 35 for people with disabilities. "In recognition of the immense potential of our young people, their critical role in the economy, and their capacity for creativity and innovation, the Government of Kenya has partnered with the World Bank to roll out the 20 billion National Youth Opportunity towards Advancement Project," said Ruto, noting that the initial 100,000 jobs will start as soon as next week. "We have committed 5 billion Kenyan shillings in grants to support 100,000 young people. We are not just offering a paycheck for today, we are providing financial relief and a bridge to future opportunities," Ruto added. But even as the president framed the plan as a generational investment, many young Kenyans dismissed it as political posturing. 'We don't trust him anymore' Young Kenyans are often seen as tech-savvy "keyboard warriors" who have increasingly asserted themselves as a politically conscious group pushing for transparency, accountability and good governance. Is Gen Z lazy, or are they onto something? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Risper Waithera, a university student in Nairobi, described the plan as unrealistic. "According to the current budget constraints that the government is undergoing, I don't think it's actually realistic to think that he can employ 800,000 youths in Kenya right now," she told DW. Last year, Gen Z protesters demanded better governance from Ruto, who dismissed nearly his entire cabinet in response to the demonstrations. For Lucy Njeri, the issue is one of broken trust: "The degree [to which] Gen Z trusts whatever the president is saying is very low. That is because he has promised a lot in the past, and there's been little to zero implementation of the promises before," she said. Expert doubts funding and sustainability The plan's financial foundation has also come under scrutiny. Alexander Riithi, head of programs at the Institute for Social Accountability, warned that the budget lacks clarity and fails to outline how the funds will be managed or distributed. "Given the many promises the president has issued in the past, people are a bit skeptical... We have not seen any allocation in the budget for this particular program," he told DW. "If you look at even the pay that is suggested, 500 shillings [about $3.87] a day for the workers and 580 shillings [around $4.50] for supervisors, this is even lower than what people in the construction industry get," he said. Riithi also highlighted what he called a contradiction in the president's approach. "This is the same thing that the president used against the Kazi Mtaani program of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He said you cannot have educated people going to slash grass." Kazi Mtaani was a public works program launched by Ruto's predecessor to provide short-term employment to young people through tasks such as street cleaning, garbage collection and landscaping. Patricia Rodrigues, associate director at Control Risks, an international political risk consultancy, told DW that the skepticism around the plan is rooted in Ruto's strained relationship with young voters. "The president has not had the best track record or reputation with young people in Kenya. While he came to power promising a lot of things, some of those promises have not been necessarily met," she said. "These programs cost money, and the Kenyan government does not necessarily have the finances available to do everything that it had intended." Gen Z: From street protests to disillusionment The NYOTA project comes months after a wave of youth-led demonstrations mobilized by mainly Gen Zers compelled the government to respond to growing public discontent over proposed tax increases, rising unemployment and allegations of police brutality. The protests — which were largely organized through social media platforms — drew thousands to the streets and forced several policy reversals, including the withdrawal of controversial finance bill provisions. Daniel Kimani, another young Kenyan who spoke to DW, expressed doubt about the government's ability to deliver on its pledge. "The promises that were given about employing 800,000 youths, I don't think that's possible with our government. Over the past years, we've already seen that no one has been employed," he said. Ruto's strained relationship with young voters "The government only listens to us when we go to the streets. But not unless we do that, they can't listen to us, and that's not going in the right direction." Lillies Aoko, a freelance content creator who has been actively engaging in online advocacy around youth issues, echoed that sentiment, saying that many young people feel ignored — despite repeatedly voicing their frustrations through social media and peaceful protests. "Do you think they are listening to our concerns? They are not. We've cried [out about] most of the things. But the government is not listening at all," she told DW. Global image, domestic tension While the World Bank-backed project adds credibility on paper, critics say it does little to resolve the trust deficit between the government and Kenya's digitally mobilized youth. Rodrigues warned that "when you unveil a new program, this naturally does come with a lot of skepticism about whether or not it will actually make a tangible difference in the lives of especially unemployed young people." For Ruto, the initiative may be an attempt to reconnect with the demographic that was pivotal in challenging his administration's policies online and on the streets. With the 2027 general election on the horizon, appealing to young voters, who make up the majority of Kenya's population, could be a strategic move to rebuild trust and regain political ground. A Gen Z lifestyle in Amsterdam To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Keith Walker
Zawya
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) Grandi hails launch of Kenya's landmark refugee inclusion plan
The Government of Kenya launched a groundbreaking initiative on Friday to improve the lives of more than 830,000 refugees and asylum-seekers and their generous hosts, by transitioning the country's refugee camps into integrated settlements where refugees and local communities enjoy greater economic opportunities and access to improved health, education and other services together. The Shirika Plan – which translates to 'cooperation' in Swahili – is the culmination of years of work towards greater refugee inclusion, led by the Government of Kenya together with local authorities, with strong support from UNHCR and other UN agencies, donors, humanitarian and development partners and the private sector. The initiative marks a significant development in the country's move toward implementing policies to improve the lives of refugees and their long-time hosts. For more than three decades, Kenya has generously hosted refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is home to two of the world's largest refugee camps – Dadaab in Garissa County, which hosts over 420,000 people, and Kakuma in Turkana County, home to more than 300,000. Under the Shirika Plan, these refugee-hosting areas will be developed into municipalities to increase economic opportunities, education, health, and essential services for both refugees and local communities. This initiative aligns with Kenya's commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees and builds upon legislative milestones such as the Refugees Act of 2021. UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, congratulated the Government of Kenya on the plan at a launch event in Nairobi. 'Kenya is showing the world that a story of cooperation, inclusion and hope is not only possible, but also necessary and of advantage to all,' Grandi said. 'Shirika recognizes that solutions, which shift away from refugee dependency on humanitarian aid towards greater self-reliance, are possible. UNHCR is committed to supporting the government of Kenya to now turn this innovative plan, into a reality.' In his keynote address at the plan's launch in Nairobi, Kenya's President, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, reaffirmed the country's pledge to work towards long-term solutions for the hundreds of thousands displaced people living in Kenya, often for decades. 'The Shirika Plan now gives us a framework to collaborate more ambitiously and pursue historic achievements that will guarantee hope and dignity for refugees, and give host communities due recognition,' said President Ruto, calling the plan 'our bold, homegrown solution, which amplifies the African Union's call for African solutions to not only Africa's problems but also global challenges as well.' UNHCR joins the Government of Kenya to appeal to all States, financial institutions and private organizations and development partners to continue to provide support and financing to this important to ensure the full realization of the Shirika Plan and improve the lives of refugees and their Kenyan hosts. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Al Dahra and the Government of Kenya sign MoU to develop large-scale irrigated farmland
United Arab Emirates – Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, Al Dahra and the Government of Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Through this agreement, Al Dahra will lease and manage up to 200,000 acres of irrigated farmland in the Galana-Kulalu Ranch, with an estimated investment of up to USD 800 million. This strategic partnership aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which emphasizes enhancing food security and agricultural development. The potential project will be implemented in multiple phases over the next 10 years, subject to technical due diligence and to the completion of key national infrastructure projects. The project will focus on producing strategic crops key to Kenya's food security for domestic consumption within Kenya. Al Dahra's involvement demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security. Al Dahra will leverage its expertise in arid climate farming to support Kenya's food production and transform the country's agricultural landscape. Eng. Eric Mugaa, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation said, "The Government of Kenya is committed to addressing food security through strategic partnerships with the private sector. We are pleased to collaborate with Al Dahra and believe this project will be a game-changer for enhancing Kenya Food Security Agenda and reduce the national food deficit. This is one of the largest Foreign Direct Investments in Kenya." Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO of Al Dahra said, "This partnership with the Government of Kenya is a significant milestone for Al Dahra. We are excited to contribute to Kenya's agricultural development and food import substitution through our innovative farming practices and extensive experience in large scale irrigated farming. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the Kenyan people, surrounding communities, and the agricultural sector as a whole. It will create jobs, support local businesses, and foster sustainable agricultural practices." About Al Dahra Al Dahra is a prominent multinational leader in agribusiness, with over 400 thousand acres of agricultural land in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA, and other countries, specialized in cultivation, production and trading of nearly 3 million tons of essential food commodities and up to 3 million tons of animal feed. Serving a large customer base from Commercial enterprises to Government agencies, Al Dahra has a widespread geographic footprint, operating in over 20 countries and catering to more than 40 markets with a leading position in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit For media inquiries, please contact:
