In a significant shift towards environmental sustainability, President William Ruto announced the rebranding of the Kazi Mtaani program to ‘Climate Work Mtaani’ during the National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out ceremony in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on August 26. The revamped initiative will be managed by NYS officers, focusing on greening Kenya and combating climate change.

“This program is designed to bring more young people into the space of greening Kenya and managing our environmental sustainability,” President Ruto stated. He highlighted the initiative’s role in addressing climate change through proactive measures, adding, “NYS will be supervising the cohort of young people that we will be recruiting under our Climate Work Mtaani initiative.”

The President directed the NYS minister to collaborate with the ministers responsible for environment, housing, and defense to enhance the project. “I am instructing the minister responsible for NYS to work with their counterparts to provide leadership under this initiative,” he said, aiming to grow 15 billion trees as part of Kenya’s climate response.

This rebranded program expands beyond the original Kazi Mtaani’s focus on infrastructure, incorporating environmental components to combat global warming. “This initiative is not just about job creation but also about instilling a sense of responsibility among our youth to take care of their environment,” Ruto explained, emphasizing its dual benefits of employment and ecological stewardship.