Youth Hold the Key to Kenya’s Industrial Future, PS Mukhwana Says

 

By Janet Mutio

Kenya’s ambition to industrialise and secure a stronger position in the global economy will largely depend on how its young people seize emerging opportunities, Principal Secretary for Industry Dr Juma Mukhwana has said.

Dr Mukhwana was speaking on Monday during Kenyatta University Career Week, where he told students that the country is at a critical turning point as the Fourth Industrial Revolution reshapes economies through artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy and data driven systems.

He said Kenya and Africa are facing a rare historical opportunity that demands courage and innovation from the younger generation.

“This is Kenya’s moment and Africa’s moment. For the young people here today, it is your defining moment,” he said.

The PS noted that past industrial revolutions largely bypassed Africa, leaving the continent dependent on exporting raw materials while other regions built industries and wealth. However, he said this historical imbalance should now be viewed as an opening for transformation rather than a permanent setback.

Africa represents about 17 percent of the world’s population but contributes less than three percent of global manufactured output. Dr Mukhwana said this gap highlights the need for African countries to invest in production, innovation and value addition.

He said Kenya is pursuing this goal through the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which places manufacturing, enterprise development and local value addition at the centre of economic policy. He cited the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative as part of efforts to strengthen domestic industry.

Dr Mukhwana pointed to government investments in Special Economic Zones, industrial parks, the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks programme and the digital economy as measures aimed at supporting inclusive and competitive industrial growth.

He emphasised that policies alone cannot drive industrialisation without skilled and motivated people to implement them.

“Industrialisation is powered by ideas, skills and courage,” he said, adding that universities must evolve into centres of innovation that produce problem solvers and creators rather than graduates focused solely on job seeking.

He challenged students to think beyond traditional employment and instead focus on building enterprises and solutions that deliver long term impact.

“Dream not just of employment but of impact. Ask not only who will employ you but what you can build,” he told the students.

Dr Mukhwana said Africa must break the pattern of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, which he described as a major driver of poverty and unemployment. He argued that value addition within the continent is essential for creating jobs and retaining wealth.

He praised Kenyatta University for encouraging students to think boldly and for promoting education as a catalyst for national and continental transformation.

Addressing young Kenyans, the PS said government systems and policies can only succeed if matched by personal determination and initiative.

“Your country believes in you. But you must rise above fear and comfort and take responsibility for changing Africa,” he said.

He urged the youth to take advantage of the current moment to drive industrialisation, expand prosperity and shape Africa’s future, describing it as a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference.