This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
On August 19, 2019, the government launched a series of events aimed at empowering the youth, including the launch of 15 new youth empowerment centres across the country.
These centres were part of the 152 established in over 100 constituencies in 2012 under the Vision 2030 project, which aimed to provide access to information and communication technology, guidance and counselling, and other services.
However, as Public Service and Youth Principal Secretary Francis Owino noted, the facilities have remained largely unused, which is a concerning issue.
The fact that the centres have been unused means they are not relevant to the immediate needs of the youth, who are struggling to survive in the face of acute unemployment.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), seven million people are jobless, with 70% being youth, highlighting the need for more practical measures to engage the youth and prevent unemployment.
It is disheartening that despite the youth playing a crucial role in elections, they are often forgotten by leaders once they assume office.
Therefore, it is essential to explore ways of making initiatives such as the Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, and Talanta Loan available for youth eager to venture into self-employment.
Additionally, youth with diverse talents must be encouraged and given capital where necessary to exploit these talents for their personal development.
