Kenya’s Youth Unemployment Crisis: A Call for Structural Reform and Youth-Led Solutions
Kenya’s Youth
Introduction: A Generation on the Margins
Kenya's youth, comprising 35% of the population, face an unemployment rate as high as 67%, starkly contrasting the national average of 12.7%. Each year, approximately 800,000 young Kenyans enter the labor market, yet the formal sector absorbs only a fraction, leaving many to navigate the precarious informal economy or face joblessness. This systemic exclusion not only undermines the potential of a vibrant demographic but also poses significant risks to national stability and development. As explored recently in the context of Uganda, this trend is not confined within national borders. It echoes a broader regional struggle in which young people across East Africa face structural barriers to decent work, collective representation, and socio-economic inclusion.
Understanding the Crisis: Structural Barriers and Policy Shortcomings
The dominance of the informal sector, accounting for over 80% of non-agricultural employment, offers limited job security, inadequate wages, and minimal legal protections. Government initiatives like Kazi Kwa Vijana and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund have provided short-term relief but often falter due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack of sustainability. Moreover, the absence of a comprehensive national employment framework exacerbates the plight of young workers, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and economic instability.
Del Monte Kenya: A Model for Inclusive Employment Practices
Del Monte Kenya a subsidiary of the global fruit processing giant Del Monte Foods, exemplifies how private sector engagement can address youth unemployment through sustainable and inclusive practices.
Operating in Kenya since the 1940s, the company is one of the country’s largest pineapple producers and employers, particularly in Murang’a and Kiambu counties. While its history includes past controversies around land rights and labour practices, recent shifts signal a more socially conscious approach.
Job Creation: Directly employing over 6,500 individuals and supporting approximately 28,000 indirect jobs through its supply chain.
Sustainable Initiatives: Investing in a biofertilizer plant that converts pineapple residues into biofertilizers, promoting environmental responsibility and creating green jobs.
Employee Welfare: Providing comprehensive benefits, including competitive compensation, free medical services, educational support, and facilities like breastfeeding centers to support working mothers.
These initiatives demonstrate the potential of aligning business operations with community development and employee well-being.
Charting a New Employment Order: Policy Recommendations
To address the youth unemployment crisis, a multifaceted approach is essential:
Establish a National Minimum Wage: Implement a wage floor indexed to inflation and reviewed biennially to ensure fair compensation across all sectors.
Decentralize Labour Courts: Set up regional labor courts to expedite the resolution of employment disputes, making justice more accessible.
Mandate Written Contracts: Enforce the provision of written contracts for all employment engagements, including those in the informal sector, to safeguard workers' rights.
Protect Interns and Volunteers: Develop clear guidelines outlining remuneration, duration, and pathways to permanent employment for interns and volunteers.
Promote Youth Unionization: Encourage the formation of youth labor unions at educational institutions and community levels to amplify their collective voice.
Implement a National Graduate Absorption Program: Initiate a collaborative program involving government, private sector, and civil society to facilitate the integration of graduates into the workforce.
Expand Labour Inspection Services: Recruit and train at least 1,000 labor inspectors over the next five years to ensure compliance with labor laws.
Enforce Labour Rights: Implement stringent penalties for violations of labor rights, including the possibility of deregistration and criminal charges for non-compliant employers.
Empowering Youth: From Passive Recipients to Active Agents
Youth must transition from passive recipients of policy to active participants in shaping their employment future. By organizing, advocating, and engaging in policy dialogues, young Kenyans can drive the momentum for these reforms. Their involvement is crucial in ensuring that the proposed changes are not only implemented but also sustained.
Conclusion: Towards a Just Employment Future
The current employment challenges facing Kenya's youth are not insurmountable. With concerted efforts from all stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, and the youth themselves, a new employment order that is just, inclusive, and sustainable is achievable. The time to act is now; the future of the nation depends on it.
References
Federation of Kenya Employers. (2025). Youth Employment. Link
Femme Hub. (2025). Del Monte’s Impact on Youth Unemployment in Kenya.Link
CHRIPS. (2025). How Kenya should tackle youth unemployment.Link
KIPPRA. (2024). Rethinking Youth Employment Initiatives in Kenya.Link
World Bank. (2024). Ujasiriamali: Self-Employment and Job Creation for Youth in Kenya.Link