This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Kenya's unemployment crisis has been a pressing issue for years, with many young people struggling to find stable employment. The narrative surrounding entrepreneurship as a solution to this crisis is often simplistic, with successful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg held up as examples of how anyone can achieve financial success through hard work and determination.
However, the reality is far more complex. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the poorest countries have the highest rate of self-employment, with 72% of people in developing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia working for themselves. In contrast, developed economies in North America and Europe have a much lower rate of self-employment, at around 10%.
Despite its reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship, the United States has one of the lowest levels of self-employment, with only 10.1% of the population working for themselves. This suggests that entrepreneurship is not a viable solution for everyone, and that many people may be better off seeking stable employment.
Moreover, the idea that entrepreneurship is a key to financial success is often based on a flawed assumption that success is solely the result of individual effort and determination. In reality, many successful entrepreneurs have been lucky, had the right connections, or benefited from favorable market conditions.
It's time to shift the conversation around unemployment in Kenya. Rather than placing the burden solely on individuals to create employment opportunities for themselves, we need to acknowledge the role of the State in creating jobs and providing support for businesses. By doing so, we can work towards a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues surrounding unemployment and develop more effective solutions to address it.
