Youth and Unemployment in Kenya

The unemployment problem is global and presents a particularly difficult labor market experience for youth. In Africa especially, unemployment and underemployment continue to be major obstacles to the full utilization of human resources despite relatively strong growth in the region over the last decade.

Young people in Africa are greatly affected by the environment within which they live and operate. There seem to be a mismatch between their aspirations and the opportunities available to them.

Youth in Kenya are experiencing much higher unemployment rates than the rest of the Kenyan population. 75 percent of the Kenyan population is made up of the youths, that is, those aged below 35 years while 22 percent being 15 to 24 years. Why is then that such a huge population lack jobs? Where has the country gone wrong on issues that concern the youth?

A large population of the young people are educated. Countries need to invest not just in formal education but in skills training. It is high time that as a country, we have to devise reasonable strategies that will work in getting solutions. Youths are being asked to go to school, yet those who have papers still keep moving from office to office seeking jobs. Giving more education to them has turned out not to be a solution but the same education should be relevant to the labor market. The education system that keeps suffering from problems of access, quality and relevance is greatly affecting the future of young people in the country.

Young people have to be looked at as assets rather than a problem to be solved. Most of these young people in the country have reached the stages of giving up as they have had so much to struggle with.  High expectations, disappointing employment prospects and marginalization of youth are among the factors that have contributed to their many frustrations.

For such reasons, comprehensive youth development programs need to be devised that will help in addressing the complex nature of challenges being faced by Kenyan youth. Specific training policies are also needed to be put in place. Unless such issues are addressed, conflict, violence, and a missed generation for development will be the costs of neglect.

Article by Vera Shawiza.