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Youth Employment in Kenya: New Wine in an Old Bottle
The World Bank is giving Kenya Shs 5.6 billion (over $68,750,000) to assist Kenya create more jobs for the youth. Youth aged between 18 and 35 years are expected to increase to 16 million in two years time and to more than 24 million in 2017.
Youth Labor Export
One aspect of the job creation program is expected to export 10,000 Kenyan youths to the international job market by next year. This is a concept borrowed from the Philippines where a similar program has placed some 9.1 Pilipino youth into the international job market.
Registered employment agencies will be contracted by the Kenya Government to recruit youths for the internal job market. Successful recruits will be assisted by government agencies in their preparations to become expatriate workers.
Preparation will include training by collaborating organizations on the cultures and customs of the countries the recruits’ intent to work in. The organizations will also help in visa and travel requirements.
Internships
Another aspect of the program aims to place some 11,000 primary and secondary school leavers aged between 15 and 29 years under internship with local businesses in Kenya. The government has already given out Shs1.2 billion to the Kenya Private Sector Association (Kepsa) to coordinate the effort with the private sector.
Interns are expected to eventually be absorbed in to employment by the businesses offering internship and to be paid Shs 6,000 each given out by the government every month.
Kazi Kwa Vijana
The final aspect of the program is aimed at strengthening the Kazi kwa Vijana (Employment for the Youth) program.
Under this program, the youth are given jobs in infrastructure development and other community work. So far, jobs have been mainly in the construction of roads, dams and related utilities.
Fears are however being expressed about the implementation of the program. Similar programs have not shown much success because of corruption and nepotism.
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