President William Ruto has once again made headlines after handing out a fresh batch of brand-new boda bodas to Kenyan youth as part of his ongoing Youth Empowerment Programme. The event, held at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, saw hundreds of young beneficiaries leave with motorcycles aimed at boosting their income and self-employment opportunities.
According to State House Director of Public Communication Gerald Bitok, the motorcycles were part of the government’s continued efforts to support small businesses and improve livelihoods.
“Another batch of Boda Boda Empowerment Programme units courtesy of President William Ruto leaves State House, Nairobi,” read Bitok’s statement in part.
A video circulating online captured an excited crowd of youths celebrating and hailing the president as they rode off with their new motorcycles. This comes just three days after Ruto hosted 15,000 youths at State House, where he distributed an assortment of business tools, including motorbikes, car-wash machines, salon and barber kits, and sewing machines.
Support and Criticism
While many youths have welcomed the initiative, the move has attracted sharp criticism from some political leaders, including former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. He argued that the government’s focus on boda bodas and small-scale hustles was a short-term fix that could trap the youth in a poverty cycle.
“Instead of addressing Kenya’s structural unemployment crisis, the government is giving out boda bodas and calling it empowerment. That’s not sustainable job creation,” Muturi said, likening the move to “giving someone a spoon to dig a dam.”
Muturi further stressed that Kenya’s economic future should prioritize innovation hubs, technology funding, manufacturing skills training, and green energy jobs—sectors that provide long-term growth and global competitiveness.
Ruto Defends the Programme
Despite the criticism, President Ruto has remained firm in his commitment to the initiative, stating that empowerment through small businesses is an immediate and practical solution for jobless youths across the country.
“Our youth deserve every opportunity to stand on their own feet. These programmes are not just about boda bodas—they are about dignity, self-reliance, and hope,” Ruto said.
Boda Boda Sector in Kenya
The boda boda industry remains one of Kenya’s largest informal employment sectors, estimated to contribute billions to the economy annually. For many, owning a motorcycle is not just a means of transport—it is a livelihood. Government-backed distribution programmes have been positioned as a way to lower entry costs for unemployed youth.
Conclusion
As the debate continues, the distribution of boda bodas by President Ruto reflects his administration’s focus on immediate empowerment projects. However, it also reignites the national conversation on the balance between quick fixes and long-term economic transformation.
