Introduction
According to the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics, the number of jobless young people in the country is currently the largest ever recorded. The country has a young population, and the high cost of living has forced many new families to live ‘hand to mouth’. In this article, unemployment is considered the state of having no income due to not having a job.
Why is the Kenyan unemployment rate rising?
It is every graduate’s hope and desire to find a steady job that generates an income that will bring about sustenance and a meaningful transition from school to the corporate world. However, this is not the case, as many unemployed graduates wander off the streets, going back home to their families, while others engage themselves in casual work in order to maintain their livelihoods. This is contributed by many parents’ belief that once tertiary studies have been completed, taking care of oneself should be a personal responsibility. The lack of clear entry into the job market has left many recent graduates directionless, idle, and downhearted—a frequent cause of drug abuse, alcoholism, and mental illness.
As of April 20, 2024, the Kenyan shilling stands at $135.20 against the dollar. The inflation rate is at 9.2% as of March 2023, with no change from February. This is widely seen with the high cost of goods such as beauty products, alcoholic beverages & cigarettes, bottled water, food, and soft drinks. Rampant inflation has made life unaffordable, even for those in steady and well-remunerated employment. For the unemployed, it can be the difference between existing above or below the subsistence line.
Kenya is a country with a young population. Unfortunately, millennials find it hard to trust the younger generations, despite their proven skills.
Conclusion.
Unemployment has been a problem endemic to governments all over the world for centuries. Initiatives such as the National Youth Service in Kenya, the Seychelles, & Zimbabwe, and the National Youth Service Corps of Nigeria, have been set up in order to equip the youth with skills that can help them generate income by giving back to their society as part of their self-development. It is a major challenge that will not be dealt with in one sitting, but if equipped with the right skills by focusing on hobbies that could be turned into money-making ventures, the unemployment rate will positively reduce.
