What Kenya can do to better harness potential of youth
By Raphael Obonyo, July 25, 2025As Kenya seeks a path to growth and development, it is essential to recognise the critical role its youth play in shaping the country’s future.
With over 70 percent of the population under 35, young people are the country’s true wealth – a significant force that can drive economic progress, innovation and social change. However, this demographic dividend can only be realised if we invest in and power the youth to reach their full potential.
Make no mistake, Kenya’s youth are the country’s precious resource that must be nurtured, empowered and celebrated.
There is need to put young people at the centre of development, develop integrated youth empowerment and development strategy and devise effective means to improve young people’s circumstances.
More should be done to tackle challenges that get in the way of optimising the potential of the youth. Significant among them is unemployment. Many young Kenyans struggle to find decent jobs, leading to frustration and disillusionment
Kenya’s youth unemployment rate currently stands at 67 percent, with over one million young people entering the job market every year.
There is no denying that the country is experiencing a high rate of unemployment with many more either underemployed or engaged in vulnerable forms of employment. The situation has far-reaching consequences, including increased poverty, inequality and social unrest.
Despite the efforts made by successive governments to address youth unemployment, the results achieved do not measure up to the required numbers in this regard.
We have to do more, and do better. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all young people have the opportunities, support and resources required to succeed.
By harnessing the power of youth, we can build a brighter future for generations to come. That is why we must work together to optimise the potential of our youth and create a better Kenya for all.
To harness the power of Kenya’s youth, policymakers must prioritise youth empowerment including investing in quality education and vocational training.
Indeed, keen attention should be accorded to the urgent issue of youth employment, particularly its connection with education and training system. Everything must be done to address the challenge of limited access to quality education and skills training – ensure young people across the country have access to decent schools, learning and training facilities.
Young people should be equipped with skills, knowledge and attitudes required to success in a rapidly changing world.
We cannot let our education system continue to produce unemployed people, especially in certain branches of study, where graduates find it extremely hard to access the job market.
To address the chronic problem of ensuring that skills match labour market needs and also reduce joblessness, government and all actors concerned must take a series of measures before it is too late, particularly undertaking comprehensive review of mechanisms and programmes for youth employment to make them more effective and aligned to the aspirations of young people.
Also, more should be done to support and create opportunities for youth entrepreneurship and employment, including providing access to capital, mentorship and markets. Young entrepreneurs should be supported to create innovative businesses to employ others and contribute to economic growth.
Most important, for Kenya to achieve prosperity and decent socio-economic life for its citizens, more should be done to develop a robust industrial sector.
The writer is a public policy Analyst; raphojuma@hotmail.com