NAIROBI, Kenya— Kenya is stepping up efforts to reduce youth unemployment by deepening engagement with the private sector and strengthening international partnerships, with the latest being the launch of the East Africa-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, speaking during the launch event in Nairobi, underscored the urgency of addressing the employment crisis among young Kenyans, particularly those aged 18 to 35, who face the highest unemployment and underemployment rates in the country.
“We have a problem as far as the employment of young people is concerned; getting all these young people jobs in the government is difficult,” said Ruku.
“That’s why, as a government team, we are doing all we can to ensure we create opportunities for our young people to get jobs.”
The new chamber aims to boost commercial ties between East Africa and Israel, opening new channels for investment and skills transfer in sectors like agri-tech, digital innovation, and green energy.
Ruku said such collaborations are vital for empowering local entrepreneurs and startups.
“The government is promoting collaboration and innovation, and putting efforts especially on the young people to ensure we are supporting young people to have their businesses,” he added.
Kenya’s youth unemployment remains a persistent socio-economic challenge, with recent estimates indicating that over 35% of youth are either jobless or underemployed.
Many of them fall outside formal employment structures and struggle to access credit, training, and markets.
By anchoring economic growth on partnerships that emphasize technology and enterprise development, the government hopes to shift focus from state jobs to self-employment and private sector absorption.
The chamber, backed by stakeholders from both regions, is expected to facilitate mentorship programs, joint ventures, and market access initiatives tailored to young innovators and small businesses.
Analysts see the chamber’s formation as part of a broader strategy to internationalize Kenya’s economy while plugging youth into global value chains a critical step in reducing dependency and improving job outcomes in the long term.
