NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for more creativity and innovation to address Kenya’s growing unemployment crisis, warning that the economy is failing to absorb hundreds of thousands of young people entering the job market each year.
Speaking after receiving a technical briefing on government interventions in agriculture and other key value chains, Kindiki noted that while about 800,000 young people complete their education annually, only 200,000 secure jobs, leaving a deficit of 600,000.
“The country must be innovative to mitigate against the bulge of many young people who do not have jobs or income opportunities,” he said.
The Deputy President underscored job creation as a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He highlighted ongoing efforts by state departments and agencies to generate employment in both public and private sectors through various initiatives.
Among the government-backed employment programs are short-term, long-term, and permanent job opportunities, including digital jobs and labour mobility programs that facilitate Kenyans working abroad.
“We have job creation initiatives within the country and outside the country through labour mobility. There are also digital platforms offering opportunities to young people,” he said.
Kindiki reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening value chains in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and mining, which are crucial for economic growth and job creation.
