The County Government of Nakuru plans to tap into the gig economy to grow employment opportunities for the youth.
Chief Officer for ICT, E-Government and Public Communication Ms Catherine Changwony noted that over the last decade, the gig economy has grown leading to more accessible, competitive and consistent job opportunities creating a potential to reduce unemployment.
Ms Changwony indicated that the devolved unit’s administration has also identified ICT as a key enabler in the achievement of economic pillars and a critical factor in driving economic, social and political development.
The Chief Officer who spoke at a policy stakeholder’s engagement workshop focusing on the impact of the gig Economy in Nakuru County said Governor Susan Kihika’s administration was working on various programs to enhance Online Employment Skills to enhance youth’s employability and productivity in the gig economy.
“Nakuru County is committed to partnering with experts in IT space to enhance digital transformation, improve service delivery and create employment opportunities for the youth in the county,” said the chief officer.
The Chief Officer said the 20–24 and 25–29 age groups continued to record the highest proportion of unemployment.
She stated that with an estimated 82 per cent of Kenya’s working population engaged in the informal sector, digital platforms are providing a critical bridge to formal employment.
“As a whole, the gig economy is helping young Kenyans transition into more accessible competitive, and stable jobs by providing them with new sources of income,” observed the Chief Officer.
According to the 2022 Tifa survey commissioned by the Ajira Digital Program, there are over 1.9 million people working online today in Kenya.
According to a report by the Digital Economy Task Force, Kenya’s gig economy is currently valued at $109 million supporting over 36,000 gig workers.
More than 1,576 young people have acquired jobs from the pilot e-government program through the Judiciary, and over 110,476 young people have been linked to work in the private sector.
The Economic Survey 2023 shows that the age groups between 20-24 years and 25-29 years continue to record the highest proportion of the unemployed at 16.3 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively.
Gig Economy refers to a labour market characterized by independent, temporary work on a short-term or a task-by-task basis, and payment is received upon completion of these tasks. This differs from traditional employment which is characterized by set working hours or contractual employment.
By Esther Mwangi
