This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
Established in May, the National Employment Authority has a crucial role in advising the national and county governments on employment policies and strategies. As outlined in the National Employment Authority Act 2016, the authority should also advise on policy matters concerning employment and develop methodologies for employment measurement, management, and promotion.
However, the authority's success hinges on its ability to conduct intensive and factual research, free from political, tribal, religious, or other forms of influence. This research should be based on primary data sources, with any secondary data subject to internal validation.
The authority must address critical issues, such as establishing the actual number of unemployed individuals in Kenya and verifying existing information on unemployment rates. It should also determine the nature of existing types of unemployment, including structural, cyclical, and frictional unemployment, to inform smart recommendations.
Furthermore, the authority must cast its advisory net wider to reach all actors in the economy, including education, manufacturing, and public service. It should also lead by example in its guidance and counselling role, with employees and board members of high integrity.
Ultimately, the authority's success will depend on its ability to provide innovative policies that cure the causes of unemployment, rather than just addressing the symptoms. This requires intensive, factual, and accurate research, which will add value to the quality of governance accorded to it.
