This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
As the country grapples with an unemployment disaster, several attempts have been made to stem the crisis. One proposal involves paying unemployed youth a stipend of Ksh12,000 ($120) for three months, while another suggests reducing the retirement age of civil servants from 60 years to 50 years, affecting approximately 25,000 people.
Published on May 24, 2017, a local daily newspaper reported that the country's public service sector is in crisis, with more than half of its workforce nearing 50 years old. The report showed that 31% of staff at both national and county levels are between 50 and 59 years old.
Despite the government's launch of the 'Public Service Internship' programme, which aims to hire 3,000 interns for a year with a monthly stipend, the issue remains unresolved. Almost 18,000 youth responded to the call for applications, highlighting the need for paying work.
As the national census approaches, the picture of application letters from around the country for temporary work is a stark reminder of the state of unemployment. Many interns have reported being idle or swamped with mundane tasks, raising questions about the value of internships and the skills transfer they provide.
Investment in young people must be intentional and long-term, rather than temporary solutions that only soothe the situation. The country's prized jobs, such as engineering, medicine, and law, are often out of reach for many young people, who are left feeling frustrated and disenfranchised.
As the government prepares for major job cuts in various sectors, the situation is likely to worsen. County governments have created platforms for public engagement, but the youth often feel powerless about the processes available to air their concerns.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa is the executive director of Siasa Place. Twitter: @NerimaW
