Youth Unemployment: The Ever Elusive Luck in Youth Placement and Employment in Kenya

David Sande Ouma *
Sociologist and Dean of Studies, FPFK Goodhope School, Nairobi, Kenya.
Periodicity:December - February'2022
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18558

Abstract

The start of the millennium across the globe was characterized by increased academic enlightenment, professional specialization, increased rural to urban migrations and increased unemployment rates. Youth have become the most vulnerable segment of the status quo as a result of the fruits of the status quo, which have led to their miserable lives due to poor social, economic status and joblessness. This review is guided by the following questions: (1) Are youth sufficiently given the platform to showcase their potential? (2) Do current youth policies adequately address their grievances? (3) What are the contributions of the youth in the country? (4) What are the probable solutions to the challenges? This review reveals that (1) there are few opportunities for youth, (2) youth policies are only partially implemented, (3) the negative consequences of failing to include youth in national and country programmes are severe and (4) a lack of professional ethics, accountability, and meritocracy in organisations is a recipe for denying qualified youth opportunities. The paper concludes that, (1) the education curriculum should be reviewed to corroborate national values and ethos from elementary to university institutions, (2) tightened and pragmatic legislation are key parameters to deterrence and retribution of perpetrators causing inequity in employment opportunities, (3) political goodwill is imperative in equalizing youth participation in national processes, (4) the government's pluralistic approach to the economy is key to create more jobs, and (5) internships and apprenticeships should be considered a must for colleges and universities to release quality graduates to the job market.

Keywords

Youth, Unemployment, Government, Employment, National Ideals, Youth Placement.

How to Cite this Article?

Ouma, D. S. (2022). Youth Unemployment: The Ever Elusive Luck in Youth Placement and Employment in Kenya. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 37-51. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18558

References

[1]. Al-Hassan, S., Andani, A., & Abdul-Malik, A. (2011). The role of community radio in livelihood improvement: The case of Simli Radio. Field Actions Science Reports, the Journal of Field Actions, 5.
[2]. Alushula, P. (2020). Census: 39 Pc of Kenya Youth are Unemployed. Business Daily.
[3]. Angaine, F., & Waari, D. N. (2014). Factors influencing loan repayment in micro-finance institutions in Kenya. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 16(9), 66-72.
[4]. Business Call to Action. (2017). Tackling Youth Unemployment in Kenya through Public-Private Collaboration. Retrieved from https://www.businesscallto action.org/news/tackling-youth-unemployment-inkenya- through-public-private-collaboration
[5]. Business Daily. (2019). Crackdown on Nepotism in Public Institutions. Retrieved from https://www.business dailyafrica.com/bd/opinion-analysis/editorials/editorialcrack- down-on-nepotism-in-public-institutions-2236472
[6]. Capitalfm. (2012). Video: Kenya's Reality Show for U n e m p l o y e d G r a d u a t e s . R e t r i e v e d f r o m https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/video-kenyasreality- show-for-unemployed-graduates/
[7]. Carretero, M. M. (2019). Corruption as a Cause of Unemployment. The Economy Journal.
[8]. Chumo, E. (2018). Boom or Burden: New Findings on Investing in Kenya's Youth for a Better Future. Retrieved from https://www.afidep.org/boom-or-burden-newfindings- on-investing-in-kenyas-youth-for-a-bettertomorrow/
[9]. Cynthia, P. (2020). Modern Agriculture to Attract More Youth to the Sector. Standard Media Group.
[10]. Elima, E. K. (2015). The Effect of Education on Youth Employment in Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
[11]. Farah, S. A., & Ali, H. A. (2018). A Study on the Causes of Unemployment among University Graduates in Kenya: A Case of Garissa County, Kenya. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 1(1), 55-60.
[12]. Finn, L. (2018). Purpose of Job Interviews. Retrieved from https://work.chron.com/purpose-job-interviews- 11989.html
[13]. Getachew, S. (2020). Ethiopian Workers are Being Expelled from Saudi Arabia and UAE on Coronavirus Suspicious. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/ n e w s / e t h i o p i a n -w o r k e r s - b e i n g - e x p e l l e d - s a u d i - 094142746.html
[14]. Hope Sr, K. R. (2012). Engaging the youth in Kenya: emp o w e rme n t, e d u c a t i o n, a n d emp l o yme n t. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 17(4), 221-236. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2012.657657
[15]. Escudero, V., & Mourelo, E. L. (2013). Understanding the drivers of the youth labour market in Kenya. ILO Research, International Labour Office, (pp. 8).
[16]. Irungu, J. (2019). Technology, a solution to Kenya's unending unemployment puzzle? Standard Media Group. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/sci-tech/article/2001320481/technology-asolution- to-kenyas-unending-unemployment-puzzle
[17]. Kabbani, N. (2019). Youth and Labor Discourses in the MENA region: A Tournament of Narratives and their Implications. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
[18]. Kaburi, S. N., Ombasa, B. B., Omato, D. N., Mobegi, V. O., & Memba, F. (2013). An overview of the role of microfinance in eradicating poverty in Kenya; A lesson to be learnt from the emerging economies. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 2(5), 34-39.
[19]. Neil, J. (2020). Domestic violence and COVID 19. Australian Journal for General Practitioners.
[20]. Keenan, J. & Rugene, N. (2019). 'They see us As Slaves': Kenyan Women Headed for the Gulf despite Abuse Fears. The Guardian.
[21]. KritiKoS, A. S. (2014). Entrepreneurs and their impact on jobs and economic growth. IZA World of Labor. https://doi.org/10.15185/izawol.8
[22]. Kwalimwa, D. (2018). Financial Challenges Facing Clubs Hurt Local Footballers. Retrieved from https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/football/financialchallenges- facing-clubs-hurt-local-footballers-52972
[23]. LaPorte, J. (2018). How a Kenyan Reality TV Show About Journalism Became a Social Media Phenomenon. European Journalism Centre.
[24]. Liwewe, P. (2010). The Challenges Facing African Football. The African report. Retrieved from https://www. theafricareport.com/9084/the-challenges-facingafrican-football/
[25]. Macharia, K. (2019). How Banks 'Stole' Cash and Life from the Youth Empowerment Kitty. Standard Media Group.
[26]. Maina, J. (2015). SautiMtaani: Promoting youth participation in Governance. Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Nairobi.
[27]. Majanga, B. (2015). An analysis of bottlenecks to SME growth in developing countries: A case of Malawi. European Journal of Business and Management, 7(24), 176-185.
[28]. Maracci, C. (2013). In Kenya, 240,000 Civil Society, NGO Employees at Risk of Losing Jobs. Retrieved from https://www.devex.com/news/in-kenya-240-000-civilsociety- ngo-employees-at-risk-of-losing-jobs-82381
[29]. Mbaka, J. (2019). Three Year Contracts for Civil Servants from July 1. Retrieved from https://www.thestar. co.ke/news/2019-06-19-three-year-contracts-forcivil- servants-from-july-1/
[30]. Melese, M., & Asfaw, M. (2020). Determinants of loan repayment per formance of Omo Microfinance Institution: In the case of Mizan Aman Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Research Journal of Business Management, 14(1), 7-14. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjbm.2020.7.14
[31]. Mercy Corps. (2020). Youth Unemployment: A Global Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.mercycorps. org/blog/youth-unemployment-global-crisis
[32]. Mghenyi, C. (2017). How youths are conned in hunt for visas and jobs in the Middle East. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/2017-05-18- how-youths-are-conned-in-hunt-for-visas-and-jobs-inthe-middle-east/
[33]. Miriri, D. (2016). Third of Kenyan Budget Lost to Corruption: Anti-Graft Chief. The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
[34]. Mumbere, D. (2018). Kenya's President Hires 91-Year Old to Secure Youth Sports Fund. Retrieved from https://www.africanews.com/2018/12/07/kenya-spresident- hires-91-year-old-to-secure-sports-fund/
[35]. Munga, B. & Onsomu, E. (2014). State of Youth Unemployment in Kenya. Africa in Focus.
[36]. Mwangi, K. P., & Namusonge, G. S. (2015). Entrepreneurial factors influencing the performance of youth enterprise development funded youth owned enterprises in Kirinyaga County. The Strategic Journal of Business Change and Management, 2(106), 1596-1620.
[37]. Muthoni, M. P. (2016). Assessing Borrower's and Business' Factors Causing Microcredit Default in Kenya: A Comparative Analysis of Microfinance Institutions and Financial Intermediaries. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(12), 97-118.
[38]. Nairobi News. (2016). Nairobi Leading in Youth Fund B i l l i o n s A l l o c a t i o n R e p o r t . R e t r i e v e d f r o m https://nairobinews.nation.africa/nairobi-leading-inyouth- fund-billions-allocation-report/
[39]. Nason, B. V. (2019). Youth Unemployment among Graduates of Tertiary Institutions in Kenya. Africa Journal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, 4(1), 84-93.
[40]. Nganga, G. (2020). Bleak Future for Graduates as Employers Got Picky. University World News-Africa Edition.
[41]. Noel, H. (2016). Ideological factions in the republican and democratic parties. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 667(1), 166-188. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716216662433
[42]. Ochieng, W. R. (1989). A Modern History of Kenya. Evans Brothers Limited, London, England.
[43]. Ombati, C. (2016). Bribery, Nepotism Most Prevalent Form of Corruption in Counties-Survey. Standard Media Group.
[44]. Omolo, J. (2013). Employment challenges in Kenya. African Journal of Economic Review, 1(1), 18-32.
[45]. Omondi, D. (2018). The shame of jobless Kenyans. Standard Media Group.
[46]. Onjili, D. (2019). This government is clueless if not fraudulent with regards to sports. Nations Business Monthly.
[47]. Onyango, P. & Tostensen, A. (2015). The Situation of Youth and Children in Kibera. CMI Report.
[48]. Pamba, E. (2018). Legal Challenges Undermine the War Against Corruption In Kenya. Retrieved from https://horninstitute.org/legal-challenges-underminethe- war-against-corruption-in-kenya/
[49]. Pheko, M. (2013). Democracy and Legitimacy in Africa. Retrieved from https://newafricanmagazine.com/ 3958/
[50]. Rakewa, D. (2019). Five Key Reasons why Many Kenyans are Unemployed. Standard Media Group.
[51]. Riechi, B. (2019). Youth Unemployment and Security in Kenya: The Case of Kwale County (2010-2018). (Doctoral dissertation, United States International University-Africa).
[52]. Sally, M. (2017). The role of NGOs in Africa: Are they a force for good? Retrieved from https://theconversation. com/the-role-of-ngos-in-africa-are-they-a-force-forgood-76227
[53]. Shauri, H. (2017). Youth Unemployment in Kenya: Towards an Exploratory Employment and Wealth Creation Framework. Retrieved from https://www. researchgate.net/publication/319329742_Youth_Unem ployment_in_Kenya_Towards_an_Exploratory_Employm ent_and_Wealth_Creation_Framework
[54]. Sikenyi, M. (2017). Does Kenya's Youth Enterprise Development Fund Serve Young People?. Institute Development Studies, 48(3). https://doi.org/10.19088/1968-2017.131
[55]. Sitharam, S., & Hoque, M. (2016). Factors affecting the performance of small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Problems and perspectives in Management, 14(2), 277-288. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.14(2-2).2016.03
[56]. Sumah, S. (2018). Corruption, Causes and Consequences. Trade and Global Market, Trade and Globa Market. Retrieved from https://www.intechopen. com/books/trade-and-global-market/corruptioncauses- and-consequences
[57]. Thieme, T. (2021). 'Youth are redrawing the map': temporalities and terrains of the hustle economy in Mathare, Nairobi. Africa, 91(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001972020000832
[58]. UNHCR. (2019). Amid Rising Xenophobic Attacks In South Africa, UNHCR Ramps Up Aid For Refugees, Calls For Urgent Action. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr. org/news/briefing/2019/9/5d848f694/amid-risingxenophobic- attacks-south-africa-unhcr-ramps-aidrefugees-calls.html
[59]. Wanjohi, A. M. (2014). Effects of Tribalism in Kenya. Kenya Projects Organizations (KENPRO).
[60]. Zacher, H., & Steinvik, H. R. (2015). Workplace age discrimination. The Encyclopedia of Adulthood and Aging, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118521373.wbeaa061
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.