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Youth Employment Initiatives to Tackle Unemployment in Kenya and African Countries Unemployment among the youth is one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing Kenya and many African countries today. According to the African Development Bank, nearly 60% of Africa’s unemployed are young people aged between 15 and 35. In Kenya alone, youth unemployment has become a national concern, with thousands of graduates entering the job market annually, only to find limited opportunities. This has created a disillusioned generation, prone to poverty, crime, and political exploitation. However, youth unemployment is not an unsolvable problem. Africa is a continent rich in resources, innovation, and potential. To turn the tide, a multi-pronged approach is necessary—one that empowers young people through relevant education, entrepreneurship, access to finance, digital inclusion, policy reforms, and targeted employment programs. Below are key ways Kenya and African nations c...

Access to Funding for Youth Startups in Kenya and Globally Introduction Access to funding is often the most critical hurdle for young entrepreneurs. While great ideas abound, securing that first round of capital—or scaling beyond—can prove elusive. In Kenya, vibrant youth startups are reshaping local ecosystems, yet they face persistent challenges. Globally, young founders navigate a complex funding landscape where location, networks, and tailored support systems influence who succeeds and who stalls. This article dives deep into: The importance of youth startup funding Kenya’s evolving funding environment Global models and comparisons Barriers facing young founders Innovations and solutions Recommendations for ecosystems 1. The Importance of Youth-Led Startups Young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives, adopting emerging technologies, targeting under-served markets, and addressing social needs. Globally, youth-led startups contribute significantly to econo...

Youth Employment Initiatives to Tackle Unemployment in Kenya and African Countries Unemployment among the youth is one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing Kenya and many African countries today. According to the African Development Bank, nearly 60% of Africa’s unemployed are young people aged between 15 and 35. In Kenya alone, youth unemployment has become a national concern, with thousands of graduates entering the job market annually, only to find limited opportunities. This has created a disillusioned generation, prone to poverty, crime, and political exploitation. However, youth unemployment is not an unsolvable problem. Africa is a continent rich in resources, innovation, and potential. To turn the tide, a multi-pronged approach is necessary—one that empowers young people through relevant education, entrepreneurship, access to finance, digital inclusion, policy reforms, and targeted employment programs. Below are key ways Kenya and African nations c...

In recent weeks, Kenya has witnessed a disturbing turn in its democratic trajectory—one where power appears increasingly intolerant to divergent voices, especially those that emerge with promise and boldness. The most recent target of this governmental clampdown is none other than Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, a leader whose vocal and fearless approach to governance has captivated not just his county but has signaled a possible shift in the political compass of the Luhya community and Kenya at large. Today’s raid on Natembeya by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), without clear reasons or transparency, has sparked suspicion, rage, and protests among the residents of Kitale who view the governor as a beacon of accountability and hope. Though the government insists on fighting corruption, this raid has all the hallmarks of a politically motivated act, one aimed at quelling an emerging threat to the established political class rather than pursuing just...

The leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company Ltd, a critical public asset in Bungoma County, Western Kenya, to Rai Group for over 30 years marks yet another painful chapter in the systematic economic sabotage of Western Kenya by both the state and complicit local leadership. This decision, framed as part of a national sugar sector revitalization plan, is neither revitalizing nor reformative — it is a death sentence to a company that for decades sustained thousands of families, supported public schools, maintained a sports stadium for Nzoia Sugar FC, and powered nuclear farms in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties. This move comes with echoes of betrayal from the past. Kenyans in the region vividly remember how Pan Paper Mills in Webuye — once the industrial heartbeat of Western Kenya — was handed over to the same Rai family under the guise of revival. More than a decade later, the mill remains a shadow of its former self. The promises of jobs, economic rejuvenation, and ...

Kenya’s political terrain is shifting—perhaps more rapidly and unpredictably than it has in decades. The traditional foundations of tribal alliances and regional strongholds are gradually eroding, giving way to a new political consciousness led by a generation that identifies more with issues than with ethnicity. This generation—Gen Z—is rising not only as voters but as a powerful social force that cannot be ignored. Yet, in a classic move of political adaptation, there seems to be a strategy underway to co-opt or divide this emerging bloc by presenting them with a presidential candidate of their own age—an idea that, ironically, doesn’t sit well with the very group it seeks to represent. To understand the contradiction, one must examine the nature of this youthful force. Gen Z in Kenya has grown up in a time of expanded internet access, education, and exposure to global democratic values. Unlike their predecessors, they are not easily swayed by tribal arithme...