Kuria’s remarks came just hours after the President unveiled a series of major road construction initiatives during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.
Speaking in public, Kuria acknowledged the importance of infrastructure but emphasized that building roads, expressways, and rail projects alone would not address Kenya’s growing youth unemployment crisis.
He pointed out that the country is set to face a surge in job seekers in the coming years, particularly those graduating from Kenya’s newly introduced Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) program.
“It is good to build dual carriageways, expressways, and SGRs,” Kuria stated.
“But if we do not give serious attention to meaningful job creation driven by the private sector, very soon there will be nowhere for us to hide.”
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Kuria revealed that over 1.1 million students graduated from the KJSEA program in 2025, the first time the country has crossed the one million mark.
He warned that this cohort, expected to enter the job market in the next three years, would require targeted policies to ensure employment opportunities.
President Ruto’s infrastructure announcements focused on improving Kenya’s road networks to ease traffic congestion and boost regional connectivity.
Key projects included the construction of a 60-kilometre expressway connecting Nairobi City to Thika Town in Kiambu County, which is expected to start near the existing Nairobi Expressway at the Museum Hill Interchange.
The expressway aims to complement the Thika Superhighway and provide a faster, more efficient transport route for commuters.
In addition, Ruto unveiled plans to upgrade the highway connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to ABC Point via Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way.
The President also highlighted the ongoing construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road (A8) and the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Road project, which began in November 2025.
These initiatives, according to Ruto, are part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize Kenya’s infrastructure and enhance economic activity.
Despite the significance of these projects, Kuria warned that focusing solely on infrastructure would leave Kenya ill-prepared for the impending youth employment challenge.
“We need to ensure that these roads and expressways translate into real economic opportunities for our young people,” he added.
Kuria’s comments have sparked debate, with some opposition figures questioning his motives, suggesting that he may still maintain ties with the government despite resigning as an economic advisor.
However, Kuria maintains that his criticism stems from a genuine concern for Kenya’s youth and the need for sustainable economic development.
The former minister’s warning resonates in a country where unemployment, particularly among young graduates, remains a pressing issue.