Speaking at the opening of the Industrialisation Summit in Nairobi, President William Ruto said his own farms provide internship placements for between 10 and 15 university graduates, each receiving a stipend while gaining practical experience.

Ruto made the remarks on Wednesday, 4 November, during the event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where roughly 400 manufacturers and innovators were gathered to showcase locally made products.

He used his farming operations as an example of how businesses can bridge the gap between academic training and real‑world work, noting that many graduates possess knowledge but lack opportunities to apply it in a workplace setting.

The president urged manufacturers and other industry players to introduce six‑month or one‑year internship programmes for young graduates, arguing that such schemes would benefit both employers and interns.

According to Ruto, longer internships allow firms to identify potential employees and equip interns with job‑relevant skills, thereby strengthening the talent pipeline for Kenya’s manufacturing sector.

He also called on Kenyans to support locally manufactured goods, linking increased domestic consumption to job creation and greater wealth retention within the country.