President Ruto Pledges 60,000 Coastal Youth Jobs In Lamu, Dongo Kundu, And Vipingo Mega-Projects

President William Ruto has issued a call to leaders and stakeholders across the Coast region to mobilize and prepare young people to tap into tens of thousands of upcoming employment opportunities.

Speaking during an engagement with regional stakeholders, the Head of State outlined key strategic mega-projects across the coastal belt—including the flagship Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu, the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Likoni, and industrial investments in Vipingo, Kilifi County.

President Ruto revealed that these projects, particularly the KSh 2.2 trillion refinery development in Lamu, are projected to unlock over 60,000 job opportunities. He urged regional leaders to organize young people effectively so that local youth, including those from Mombasa and surrounding counties, secure their fair share of technical, artisan, and support roles.

“We will get job opportunities for 60,000 youth from the Coast and across Kenya,” President Ruto stated. “Over in Lamu, there are job opportunities that will be available, and there is a slot for the youth of Mombasa right there. Over in Dongo Kundu, there are opportunities, over in Vipingo, there are opportunities… Let each one of us prepare, organize these young people properly, and connect these youth with those job opportunities.”

Strategic Coastal Industrial Hubs

The announced employment opportunities stem from major infrastructure and industrial developments aimed at transforming the Coast region into a regional manufacturing and logistics powerhouse:

• Lamu Port and Energy Hub: The planned East Africa Oil Refinery, backed by Nigerian investor Aliko Dangote, represents a KSh 2.2 trillion private-public mega-investment designed to serve Kenya and the broader East African region. The project is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment, ranging from construction and engineering roles to port logistics.

• Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (Mombasa): Positioned near the Port of Mombasa, Dongo Kundu is set to host free trade zones, manufacturing hubs, and logistics parks designed to attract foreign direct investment and create thousands of blue-collar and professional jobs for local residents.

• Vipingo Industrial Park (Kilifi): Emerging as a key economic hub in Kilifi, Vipingo continues to attract agro-processing, light manufacturing, and construction developments aimed at boosting youth employment across Kilifi and neighboring counties.

President Ruto emphasized that government agencies, local administration, and community leaders must coordinate skills training and job placement efforts to ensure youth are job-ready as these mega-projects kick off.