President William Ruto during the Gold Award Presentation Ceremony under The President’s Award–Kenya on January 21, 2025. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
President William Ruto on Tuesday reaffirmed his unshakable faith in Kenya’s young people, describing them as the country’s greatest asset and the driving force behind his vision to transform Kenya into a first-world nation within a generation.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the Gold Award Presentation Ceremony under The President’s Award–Kenya, the Head of State said the energy, skills and resilience of Kenyan youth place them among the best human capital in the world, capable of excelling both locally and on the global stage.
“Today, we are giving more than an award; we are recognizing effort, sacrifice and grit,” President Ruto said, as he congratulated young men and women who completed the demanding Gold Award programme. He noted that the awardees had demonstrated discipline, perseverance and integrity by staying the course even when the journey felt insurmountable.
The ceremony was held under the theme “Shaping Young People’s Character and Encouraging Purposeful Volunteerism,” which the President said captured the true essence of holistic education. He emphasized that learning goes beyond classrooms and examinations, adding that character, values and a commitment to service are what ultimately shape responsible citizens and leaders.
President Ruto described volunteerism as a powerful expression of character and solidarity, noting that purposeful service helps young people understand their place within a broader community. “It means recognizing that your talents are not just for personal gain, but for the well-being of society,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s focus on education and youth empowerment, the President outlined key milestones achieved over the past three years. These include the full transition to the Competency-Based Education system, the recruitment of 100,000 teachers, and the construction of more than 23,000 classrooms nationwide to expand access and improve learning outcomes.
He also highlighted reforms in higher education financing, saying the introduction of a student-centred funding model has stabilized public universities that were previously facing financial distress. In addition, the government has committed to increasing national research funding to two per cent of GDP to spur innovation and sustain long-term economic growth.
According to President Ruto, these reforms are designed to strengthen foundations in literacy, numeracy, science and digital skills, while expanding opportunities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), leadership development and entrepreneurship.
The President cited inspiring success stories from The President’s Award Programme to demonstrate its transformative impact. He singled out Vivian Kinya, a Gold Awardee selected in 2025 as one of only eight International Youth Representatives worldwide, giving Kenya a voice at the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
He also highlighted Mohamed Hassan Omar, a Garissa University student who started beekeeping with just ten hives as part of his Silver Award project and now manages more than 120 modern hives in Wajir, creating employment for other young people.
Another moving example was that of Sheldan Nduta, whose life was transformed through the programme while at Kamae Borstal Institution and who is now pursuing a diploma in Business Management at Kiambu National Polytechnic.
“These stories remind us that leadership is defined by service, not titles, and that with guidance and opportunity, young Kenyans can rise from any circumstance,” the President said.
As he concluded, President Ruto urged young people to believe in themselves and in their country, warning against pessimism and cynicism. “Optimistic people see opportunity in every challenge,” he said, adding that Kenya’s future belongs to those who choose hope, effort and purpose.
He congratulated all Gold Awardees and members of the Award Holders Alumni, encouraging them to continue shining as role models and trailblazers for the next generation
