This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 23, 2019, Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs from top-performing American companies, issued a statement on the ideal corporate structure. The statement highlighted the importance of a free-market system in generating good jobs, a strong economy, innovation, and economic opportunity for all.
However, in Kenya, the reality for entrepreneurs is far from ideal. Many young people are forced into entrepreneurship as a last resort, with little hope of success. In 2017, I interviewed two young businessmen who were on the verge of bankruptcy. They had started a small business after years of unsuccessful job-seeking, but were struggling to make ends meet.
Their story is not unique. In the next few weeks, nearly 1,700 Kenyans will join millions of jobless Kenyans after four firms announced layoffs. This means that many of these individuals will have to use their savings to start small enterprises, with little idea of what awaits them.
It is especially tough for young entrepreneurs, who have to depend on the goodwill of others to be paid for their services. They spend sleepless nights waiting for that call that informs them: "your cheque is ready.” Their hard work hardly pays off, and a good chunk of their life is spent living the undignified life of a beggar — chasing their money and making endless calls to people who want to be bribed before they can release their payment.
Kenyan entrepreneurs deserve to live a dignified life commensurate to the years of hard work they put in. If the government is serious about promoting young entrepreneurs, then it needs to protect them from predators who use their goods and services, delay their payments or do not pay them at all.
Ms. Chege is the director, Innovation Centre, Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications.
