Youth from the Coast region have been urged to be proactive in seizing government-availed job opportunities to combat unemployment and facilitate their self-advancement.
More than 300 youth under the Kenya Young Members of County Assembly (KYMCA) from Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita-Taveta, and Lamu on Thursday converged at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) Mombasa Campus to discuss pertinent issues affecting the youth.
The one-day youth summit was themed ‘A Generation at Risk: Confronting the Challenge of Youth Unemployment’.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga said the forum fosters dialogue on available government job opportunities, as most people are locked out of jobs either due to lack of information or experience.
“We are here to speak directly to them and exchange ideas on how best they can take advantage of the available opportunities based on their experience,” stated Chidzuga, adding that most of the time the youth lament that they are not involved in decision-making, governance and employment.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson highlighted job opportunities created by the government in the maritime sector, overseas jobs, agriculture, technology, and affordable housing.
“Coast region, we have been affected by drug abuse, unemployment, and insecurity fuelled by juvenile gangs. The youth leaders, after the engagement, will have a different perspective on their lives and will be able to empower their fellow youth,” said Chidzuga.
The government, she noted, has employed more than 50,000 teaching jobs, the highest since the country attained her independence.
“The ICT hubs have also offered employment and skills to youth. I urge youth not to be lazy or to fear. No pleasure comes easily. Let’s also be patient and not greedy. We must go through the journey, one day at a time,” she advised the youths.
She further urged youth in universities to embrace volunteering in organisations during their holidays to gain experience before they graduate.
“We need to think out of the box; let’s be innovative and take advantage of the opportunities around us,” she challenged the youth.
Hamad Tanguri, Chief Whip Coast Youth Bunge, said the youth have experienced challenges while applying for loans from the Youth Fund because of a lack of collateral, which impedes youth from business.
“Youth are forced to provide collateral in the form of title deeds and log books. Women are given loans through the Women’s Fund and they invest. Youth have been sidelined,” stated Tanguri.
He called for the harmonisation of the youth funds through the scrapping of security requirements.
Swahilipot Founder and Chief Mentor Mahmoud Noor said the youths can leverage technology to create employment. Kenya, he said, is lucky to have seven undersea internet cables that offer internet stability.
“The government programme to establish ICT hubs in every ward is noble. They should partner with stakeholders to provide skills to the youth and show them how they can use the internet as a source of income,” said Noor.
He added that the youth can do online jobs without travelling to the United States of America. He urged the government to reduce taxes on the internet and laptops to make it affordable for many youth.
By Sadik Hassan