How Can Kenya Tackle The Youth Unemployment Crisis? Any Lessons From Del Monte?

The Federation of Kenya Employers said that overall unemployment in Kenya is 12.7 percent, among the highest in Africa and the top in the East African region. The Kenyan youth aged between 15 and 34, who form 35 percent of the Kenyan population, have the highest unemployment rate of 67 percent.

According to FKE, over one million young Kenyans enter the labor market annually without any skills, some having either dropped out of school or completed school and not enrolled in any college. At the same time, at least 50,000 Kenyans graduate annually from universities and colleges, joining the already saturated job market.

With at least 95 percent of Kenyan businesses being in the informal sector, millions of unemployed Kenyans have tried their hand at business. But even there, it is not a walk in the park, with stats from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicating that at least 450,000 small businesses are shutting down annually in Kenya, translating to 30,000 monthly and 1,000 each day.

With unemployment numbers continuing to grow and with those employing Kenyans continuing to get lean, others, such as Del Monte Kenya, have remained constant in creating employment opportunities for Kenyans at all levels, both directly and indirectly.

How has Del Monte Kenya helped ease Kenya’s unemployment crisis?

Del Monte Kenya has been a significant contributor to employment and economic development in Kenya since its establishment in 1965. Specializing in pineapple cultivation and processing, the company has expanded its operations to include a variety of fruits, thereby creating numerous job opportunities and supporting local communities.​

Read Also: How Del Monte Shapes The Future Of Communities Through Education

As of recent reports, Del Monte Kenya directly employs over 6,500 individuals. Beyond these direct jobs, the company’s operations have generated approximately 28,000 indirect employment opportunities through various business collaborations and supply chain activities. ​

For years, Del Monte Kenya has been massively investing in infrastructure and community development, which has gone a long way in empowering communities and businesses with easy access and commute. The company has been allocating 100 million shillings annually to maintain public roads around its facilities. This investment facilitates the efficient transportation of raw materials and finished products, benefiting both the company’s operations and the local communities by improving connectivity and access to essential services, hence a source of income for many.

In 2019, Del Monte Kenya invested 580 million shillings in a new fresh fruit packing facility within its farm. This facility, aimed at expanding the production of pineapples, avocados, and mangoes, has been creating direct jobs to boost the economies of Kiambu and Murang’a counties. ​

In May 2024, Del Monte Kenya launched a biofertilizer plant designed to convert pineapple residues into biofertilizers. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental responsibility, potentially transforming the agricultural landscape in Kenya and creating additional employment opportunities in the green economy sector. ​

Through direct employment, infrastructure investments, expansion projects, and sustainable practices, Del Monte Kenya has played a pivotal role in job creation and economic development in Kenya. While challenges exist, the company’s ongoing initiatives demonstrate a commitment to supporting and empowering the Kenyan workforce and contributing to the nation’s broader economic goals.

What lessons can others learn?

Commitment to Gender Diversity and Inclusion

Del Monte Kenya has demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing female participation in its workforce. As of 2021, women comprised approximately 45 percent of the company’s 6,500 employees. Through this, Del Monte Kenya is contributing to breaking gender imbalance within the Kenyan workplace that has been a persistent issue, marked by wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership, and challenges in accessing and retaining jobs.

Investment in Employee Welfare and Supportive Facilities