President William Ruto’s top economic strategist, David Ndii, has issued a stark warning about the future of Kenya’s job market, predicting that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalisation could eliminate up to 50 per cent of payroll jobs in the coming years.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Ndii cautioned Kenyans to brace themselves for a massive transformation in employment.
“I have news for you… Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence will eat 50 per cent of payroll jobs,” he declared.
Banking Sector Shows The Shift
Ndii pointed to the banking industry as an early example of automation’s disruptive force, noting that its workforce stagnated a decade ago as digital platforms took over services once handled by human staff. He stressed that the digital revolution is no longer a future possibility but a present reality.
Payroll Jobs Only A Small Share Of Workforce
The economist further explained that payroll employment currently accounts for just 15 per cent of Kenya’s workforce, with the other 85 per cent engaged in informal jobs. He cautioned that clinging to traditional formal employment was unsustainable in the face of AI-driven change.
Gig Economy To Dominate By 2050
Looking ahead, Ndii projected that by 2050, as much as 90 per cent of jobs will exist within the gig economy — a space dominated by freelance work, short-term contracts, and self-employment.
He urged Kenyans, particularly the youth, to embrace digital skills, creativity, and innovation if they hope to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Ndii’s remarks have sparked debate online, with many Kenyans acknowledging the urgent need to adapt, while others expressed concern about how the shift could affect job security in a country already grappling with high unemployment.
