Strategies for Reducing Youth Unemployment in Kenya:a Case Study of Makadara Division, Nairobi
Abstract
The youth, who form a critical mass of the Kenyan population, are unemployed. Efforts have
been made to alleviate the problem of youth unemployment in Kenya. However, these
strategies and efforts have come under intense scrutiny in the recent years with the ever rising
unemployment rates. This research set to critically examine the existing strategies and efforts
to alleviate unemployment among the urban youth with the view to make recommendations
on how best the strategies can be implemented. The research also aimed to suggest other
viable strategies to help reduce the unemployment problem.
The research was divided into various distinct sections. A situational analysis was canied out
to provide an in-depth understanding of the research problem. The base data collected was
analyzed to help in the formulation of the research problem.
During the research proper, the study population was segmented into strata to represent the
various sub-groups in the population. A sample for the study was randomly drawn from the
study population. Data was collected through the use of focus group discussions and
interviews.
From the research findings, it is clear that the problem of unemployment and especially
among the urban youth has grown to grotesque proportions. The existing strategies have not
been effective enough to combat youth unemployment. The policy deficiencies are
aggravated by the general lack of skills and job apathy among the youths, and the general
decline in the national economic growth.
The research suggests ways through which the existing strategies, and specifically the
National Youth Policy and the Poverty Eradication Plan, can be enhanced and be effectively
implemented to create adequate job opportunities for the youth. There is need for concerted
and deliberate efforts to encourage investment activities as this will expand the economy and
the trickle effects would result in jobs creation. The education system should be re-oriented to
make it relevant to the job market needs. The emphasis should be on skills acquisition and
not merely to pass exams. The changes should be made at all levels of education.
Sponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
Deparment of sociology