Addressing Youth Employment and Empowerment in Kenya's North-Eastern Region
Findings from a Fact-Finding Mission
Shaqodoon Kenya, recently embarked on a fact-finding mission to Kenya's north-eastern region. The mission aimed to understand the pressing challenges faced by young people in the area, with a particular focus on youth employment, empowerment, entrepreneurship, and technology for development. Over the course of several weeks, the Shaqodoon Kenya team visited four counties—Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, and Garissa—to engage with local stakeholders and gather valuable insights.
One of the key findings from the fact-finding mission was the alarming rate of unemployment among young people in Kenya. With over half of the country's population under the age of 25, the issue of unemployment poses a significant challenge to the country's economic growth and development. The mission team discovered that high youth unemployment rates were prevalent across all four counties visited, with figures ranging from 62% to 70%. Factors contributing to this issue include a lack of job opportunities, insufficient entrepreneurial and business skills, limited interest in blue-collar jobs, and inadequate access to education.
To tackle the issue of youth unemployment, the mission emphasized the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and technology for development as viable solutions. Discussions with local stakeholders highlighted the need for access to capital, training, and mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs. Additionally, embracing technology across various industries was identified as a means to enhance productivity and competitiveness, leading to job creation and economic growth.
The fact-finding mission shed light on the inadequate resources and support available for young people in the north-eastern region. Youth centers and vocational training centers were found to be underfunded, poorly resourced, and inadequately maintained, making them unattractive to the youth. Recognizing the immense potential and capabilities of the local youth, the mission underscored the importance of equipping them with the necessary tools and skills for success.
The mission also explored the role that Shaqodoon Kenya can play in addressing these challenges and making a positive impact in the communities it operates in. The organization is committed to collaborating with local partners to provide support and resources to young people. some key roles that Shaqodoon Kenya aims to fulfill in the region includes:
Providing Entrepreneurship Support: Through training, mentorship, and access to finance for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the region. By equipping them with the necessary skills and resources, Shaqodoon Kenya can empower young people to start their own businesses, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
Promoting Technology for Development: Advocate for the adoption of technology across various sectors in the north-eastern region. By supporting the integration of technology into industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, Shaqodoon Kenya can enhance productivity, improve access to services, and stimulate job creation.
Strengthening Youth Centers and Vocational Training: Collaboration with local stakeholders and governments to improve the infrastructure, resources, and quality of youth centers and vocational training centers. Youth centers ran by Shaqodoon, provide safe, nurturing environments for youth and women to address sensitive issues, grow, learn, and develop skills that can help them break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves. By investing in these institutions and ensuring they offer, relevant and market-driven skills training, Shaqodoon Kenya can enhance the employability of young people in the region.
Facilitating Access to Sharia-Compliant Funding: Recognizing the challenge of accessing Sharia-compliant funding for entrepreneurial endeavors, Shaqodoon Kenya can work with financial institutions and investors to create innovative financial products that adhere to Shariah law. This would enable young entrepreneurs in the region to access funding that aligns with their religious beliefs and supports their business ventures.
Enhancing Awareness and Information: Play a vital role in raising awareness among young people about available government resources, employment opportunities, and their rights. By organizing workshops, campaigns, and information sessions, Shaqodoon Kenya can empower youth with knowledge and ensure they can make informed decisions regarding their education, employment, and overall development.
Advocating for Inclusivity and Equal Opportunities: Dedicated to creating an environment in which women, youth and returnees are respected, protected, and supported. Shaqodoon is committed to ending Gender-Based violence, Female genital mutilation and providing awareness and psychosocial counseling programs on substance abuse and Sexual Health Reproduction. To this effect, Shaqodoon Kenya can advocate for fairness and the prioritization of skill development, capabilities, and resources to ensure that everyone in the community has access to equal opportunities and treatment
Overall, Shaqodoon Kenya can play a transformative role by providing support, resources, and advocacy for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven development in Kenya's north-eastern region.