The unemployed youth have been challenged to shift their focus from seeking for white collar jobs but instead diversify their scope on their inborn and exploit their potentials to achieve financial independence
Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology Principal Secretary Mr. Jerome Ochieng said that talent pays and added that the government is keen on creating an enabling environment through the use of technology in various online fora to enable the young generation secure a source of livelihood.
The PS reiterated that creation of employment for the youth is a major policy agenda for the government, hence the decision to roll out the Ajira digital programme to introduce young people to the employment opportunities available online and provide them with the right tools, awareness, infrastructure, skills, training, mentorship and access to dignified work.
Speaking today during the Mathare Education, Career Fair and Mentorship Day held at Huruma Redeemed Gospel Church, Nairobi, Jerome noted that Business Process Outsourcing is now the inthing which the youth must embrace because it provides enormous opportunities.
“Technology is at present the key driver in matters to do with employment. By combining technology and talent, our young people will be able to market themselves here as well as internationally,” said the PS.
Jerome further noted that technology is the only way through which the rising cases of unemployment among the youth can be reversed.
Kenya Films Classification Board Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ezekiel Mutua said that as an institution they will continue to promote clean talent among the youth, adding that talent is everything.
“I am a PHD holder but I rarely use what I majored on. I have always banked on my talent to steer me to greater heights. Identify your talents and use them because creative economy should be the focus for job creation.” the morality boss said.
Mutua further asserted that talent does not have to be dirty to sell, and added that his board will continue to work with the ministry of ICT in creating opportunities for the youth to exploit.
Dr. Ida Odinga who was the Chief Guest at the event lauded Mathare Constituency committee for creating such an opportunity for the youth to explore what they are best in.
She noted that there is enough space for growth for everyone and called on youth to identify their talents and maximize on them so as to be financially independent.
Mathare Member of Parliament Antony T. Oluoch who led his constituents into the inaugural event said that the intention is to give students an opportunity by exposing them to career mentors and professionals as well as peer students from other schools with the hope that this will spur the students to aspire to do more.
Oluoch noted that the career day is structured in four parts intended to give the students a spiritual fellowship as well as being intertwined with academic and intellectual discourse, adding that this will make them make informed decisions on their career choice.
Present at the talent inauguration was Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi among other dignitaries.
The number of formal jobs has been on the decline. According to the KNBS, the number of formal jobs decreased from 19 per cent in 2009 to 16.6 per cent in 2017.
The unemployment rate for the youth (aged between 18-34 years) in Kenya is very high- It lies between 25-40 percent.
At the same time the number of informal jobs has increased from 81 per cent to 83.4 per cent in the respective years.
By Gworo Alice
