{
  "id": 13874573,
  "title": "Maraga promises to bring back companies that left Kenya, create jobs for youth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/maraga-promises-to-bring-back-companies-that-left-kenya-create-jobs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T04:44:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/maraga-promises-to-bring-back-companies-that-left-kenya-create-jobs-for-youth"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Chief Justice and presidential contender David Maraga has pledged to bring back businesses that have relocated out of Kenya, asserting such a move would generate employment for the nation's youthful population grappling with unemployment. In a video posted on his social media platform on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Maraga disclosed he had engaged in talks with several companies during a three-week tour of the United States, indicating that some were set to return and resume operations in Kenya. \"Wale watoto wetu ambao wamesoma hawana kazi. Iko makampuni ambayo imefunga kazi yao Kenya kwa sababu ya vile mambo inaendeshwa hapa Kenya,\" Maraga stated, expressing concern over the lack of job prospects for graduates. \"Nimekuwa nikizungumza na hayo makampuni. Wale wengine watakuwa watarudi. Watarudi waanze na biashara yao ili watoto wetu wapate kazi,\" he added. Maraga, who leads the United Green Movement (UGM), also interacted with Kenyans residing in the US to grasp their views and expectations from the Kenyan government. \"Nimekuwa Amerikani kwa wiki tatu. Nilikuja juzi. Nimezungumza na watoto wetu wa uko Amerika. Wale wako Amerika,\" he said. Among the primary issues raised by Kenyans overseas was the necessity for an efficient government system that does not require citizens to rely on personal connections to access public services. According to Maraga, Kenyans desired predictable and transparent public services, exemplified by the passport application process to demonstrate the system he intends to create. \"Kitu wanataka kwanza kabisa kabisa kabisa, ni kwamba wapate serikali ambayo mambo inaenda kwa utaratibu. Ili tunaita a working system,\" Maraga explained. He emphasized that an efficient system should allow citizens to access services via established procedures instead of personal connections. \"A system where you don’t need to know anybody. You don’t need to know anybody. If it’s an application for a passport, you pay the amount required. You’re told within such and such a time you will get your passport,\" he noted. Maraga also highlighted the need to simplify the passport renewal process for Kenyans whose passports had expired, stating that the system should be accessible online to facilitate documentation for citizens living abroad. \"Wanataka serikali ambayo ina timisha hiyo na niwahidi nitawafanyia hivyo,\" he stated. Maraga affirmed his commitment to addressing these concerns. In a message accompanying the video, Maraga emphasized Kenya's need for efficient public systems to tackle challenges impacting citizens, including education, healthcare, and youth unemployment. \"Kenya needs systems that work. This is how we ensure that education, healthcare and youth unemployment are addressed in full,\" he concluded.",
  "summary": "Former Chief Justice and 2027 presidential hopeful David Maraga has promised to pursue the return of companies that have left Kenya, saying the move would help create jobs for educated young people struggling with unemployment. In a video posted on his socila media account on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Maraga said he had held discussions […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}