Way Forward for Laikipia Social Sector

Even though Laikipia County is rich with environmental resources and fertile land to serve its budding industrial sector but is still faced with numerous social problems, including drugs, alcohol abuse, high level of HIV and AIDS infection, unemployment and school drop outs.

The World Bank, Kenya Economic overview, May 2013, says that youth unemployment, poverty and vulnerability to climate change remain the most critical development challenges facing Kenya. This is also a major issue in the county. A lot of productive workforce is lost to substance abuse and HIV/AIDS hence impacting the welfare and economic growth negatively.

To reduce unemployment and increase entrepreneurship among the youth will improve the county’s performance and develop county legislation to the youth to facilitate business startups. The education, youth and social sector should collaborate with the private sector especially financial institutions to conduct entrepreneurship and financial trainings for the young people in the country.

Parents on the other hand ,should be given  a chance in governance of schools ,as well as increase transition rates at all levels of education.Laikipia government should commence initiatives like civic education and enlighten parents on the importance of education to their children.

There should be allocation of sufficient budget line to improve and expand the existing educational facilities to accommodate all learners. Youth camps and county sports competition can be a good way to reduce idleness and rehabilitating existing sports facilities.

Strengthening vocational training to ensure that graduates are well equipped with skills that are relevant to the market and industrial needs is very important.