With recent development many youths are joining the wagon of creating sustainable solutions to unemployment. Kepha Erick Opass, a Moi University student politician listed in 2019’s list of the top 100 most influential students in Kenya had this to say:
Over the past couple of decades, unemployment has been a key contributing factor to the downward trajectory of our economy and also the rise to social vices like violent crimes and the drug menace. Due to the competitive nature of our job market model, the youth, whether schooled or not, continue to experience difficulties in recruitments. Albeit this, the government and the private sector as a complementing division, have continued to re-evaluate employment policies that are favorable to the youth and the larger unemployed citizenry. Encouragement of an entrepreneurial culture is a steadfast way to reduction of the unemployment menace in kenya. Through its complementary ministries, government should move with speed and put in place an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs with promising start ups. Such enabling environments include but not limited to reduction/eradication of interest rates levied on startup loans, free capacity building forums and exchange fairs among others.
Another water tight solution to the unemployment menace is heightening the financial and capacity investments in technical and vocational training institutions. Undeniably, there is a shift in structures of both domestic and global workmanship requirements. Employers are now more leaned to hiring personnel with technical skills other than professional skills. It’s important to note that manufacturers that specialize in Fast Moving Goods and Commodities (FMGC) are more leaned to skilled labor. As such, government can generously invest in technical institutes so that the youth can learn skills that will position them well in finding employment in manufacturing, extracting and export industries. Acceleration of investment in agriculture is also a sure solution to the aforementioned menace. Indulgement in agriculture and crop production require labor intensive practice and as such, the youth can indulge in the same for assured profits
For a fact, Kenya has an interesting consumerism pattern. As such, a special focus should be given to the extractive industry for sustainable development. Through its ministry of education, government should re-evaluate existing curriculum and scale it more engaging disciplines that encourage research and innovation. Moreover, the youth should be encouraged to form Sacco’s and engineer initiatives that are profitable and can be invested in by the government. With change of mental maps and re- evaluation of existing policies, unemployment menace can be eradicated and the nation can begin to move an inch closer to achieving its much-desired economic freedom and sustained development.
Politics shouldn’t be about tribalism, nepotism and clinging to virtual identities that we were born into, like tribes and religion. Politics should be about development, forwad thinking and inclusivity. With eye opening and insightful ideas such as this I believe the new breed of politicians is promising.
Kepha Erick Opass was listed in the most promising young politicians in 2018.
