Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has raised concerns about the welfare of Kenyan students and youth employment, sharply criticizing President William Ruto’s record on higher education and labour export.
Njiru’s remarks came after Ruto highlighted his role in addressing university admission backlogs during his tenure as Education Cabinet Secretary.
In a recent statement, Ruto recalled that in 2010, many qualified students were forced to wait up to two years before joining public universities.
To address the backlog, he implemented a double intake, a move he described as necessary despite straining available resources.
Ruto said the reforms ensured that today, students no longer face extended delays in university admission.
Responding to Ruto, Njiru described the current situation for young Kenyans as dire.
“Students are rotting at home, clinging to false hopes and litany of lies, and at best being auctioned into slavery in the Gulf under the guise of labour exportation,” he said.
Njiru’s critique highlights concerns over labour export schemes, which have faced scrutiny from human rights groups over working conditions and safety for Kenyan migrants.
The debate occurs against a backdrop of ongoing challenges in Kenya’s higher education system. While access has improved since 2010, university placements remain highly competitive.
The Commission for University Education reports that over 100,000 qualified applicants are annually left out of public institutions, reflecting continued demand for government intervention.
Youth unemployment has also been a persistent issue, particularly among graduates unable to secure formal employment.
Labour export programs to Gulf countries have been promoted by successive governments as an alternative, but oversight gaps have prompted criticism from activists, civil society, and now legal practitioners like Njiru.
Ruto’s reflection on past reforms underscores the long-term efforts made to expand access to tertiary education, yet Njiru’s comments signal public frustration with the pace and scope of opportunities for Kenyan youth today.