Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga has painted a grim picture of unemployment in the country, noting that at least 60 per cent of his visitors are looking for jobs in the county.

Speaking during the pre-devolution conference held at the Ruma National Park in Homa Bay County on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Wanga indicated that county governments must rise up to devise measures to tackle the menace in their jurisdictions.

In my office in Homa Bay every day, for every 10 people who visit me, six of them are people looking for employment; either their mothers or grandmothers have come to look for employment for them,” Wanga said.

Churning graduates

He lamented that the school system was churning out students ready for the job market, yet the very jobs were nonexistent.

“The biggest problem is that we are taking our young people to schools and universities and all the courses with an expectation to find jobs. But there are no jobs.,” Wanga stated.

“Our government offices have become like agencies to employ and hire. We must take a radical shift; we must create the jobs. We must look at industrialization and get investments.”

Kenya is grappling with a severe unemployment crisis, disproportionately affecting the youth.

Massive joblessness

While official national unemployment rates may appear moderate, they mask a much higher rate of joblessness among the large youth demographic.

This youth bulge is a significant challenge, as over 800,000 young people enter the job market each year, far outstripping the number of new jobs created.

While many graduates find themselves ill-equipped for the job market, the economy’s growth has not translated into sufficient formal sector jobs.

Impacts of joblessness

Equally, the private sector, which could be a key driver of employment, is often hampered by a challenging business environment, including high taxation and corruption.

The social and economic impacts of this crisis are profound: Widespread unemployment leads to increased poverty, social unrest, and a heightened risk of crime and drug abuse.

It also takes a toll on mental health, with feelings of hopelessness and depression being common among jobless youth.