President William Samoei Ruto on Sunday sought to position his administration as youth-focused while making a political overture in a region long considered an opposition stronghold.
Speaking in Bondo during the opening of the Siaya Community Digital Hub, Ruto said young people hold the key to Kenya’s transformation into a first-world economy.
“For far too long, our youth have been perceived as part of our country’s problems,” Ruto said. “Yet these young people — skilled, talented, innovative and energetic — are the solution to the challenges facing us.”
The digital hub is expected to provide internet access, training and workspace for young entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in the digital economy.
Ruto said the government had deliberately put in place measures to empower young people and create employment through investments in technology and innovation centres.
“Our youth are assets that can turn Kenya into a first-world economy,” he said.
The president also addressed traders and residents in Bondo town, where he pledged that his administration would invest in development projects across all regions of the country.
“We are committed to developing every part of Kenya as part of our plan to make our country more equal,” he said.
Beyond the economic message, the visit also carried significant political undertones. Bondo lies in the heart of Luo Nyanza, a region that has historically backed opposition leader Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement party.
Political analysts say Ruto’s growing presence in the region signals a calculated attempt to make inroads into the ODM stronghold as he prepares the ground for his 2027 re-election bid.
By launching development projects and engaging local communities, the president appears keen to chip away at the opposition’s traditional support base while portraying his administration as inclusive and national in outlook.
The strategy mirrors a broader political approach in which Ruto has increasingly sought cooperation with leaders allied to ODM, signalling a possible shift in Kenya’s political alignments ahead of the next general election.
Youth unemployment remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, with many young people struggling to secure stable jobs.
Government officials say similar digital hubs are planned across several counties as part of efforts to expand digital access and create employment opportunities.
But critics argue that while such projects are welcome, the government must also address wider economic pressures facing young people, including limited job creation and rising living costs.
