Youth unemployment rate in Kenya is still at alarming levels despite the government and private sector intervention.
Another recently concluded survey conducted in March 2017 showed that 39.1% of the Kenyan population of working age do not have jobs.
When youths are idle, they plunge into crime and other social vices, something that is not healthy for the community and the economy.
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Generate
There are many renown youth who are using their talents which has earned them respect in their different fields; from acting, football, athletics, singing to running businesses.
Examples include Sauti Sol, Victor Wanyama, David Rudisha, Lupita Nyong’o, Humphrey Khayange who are young people who’ve used their talents to create their own success paths.
However, a group of youth in the Coast region are tilting the scale through use of talents to generate jobs and earn decent living out of it.
The youth who are drawn from various ethnic groups across the coastal counties have formed groups which help in coordinating the activities of members.
Enterprise
"We have an enterprise mind and we are focused on how we can improve our lives through making money from our talents. It is therefore important that each member is devoted to bringing out the best in him," noted one group member.
"I believe youth have very unique talents which they can exploit to make a living. However, we have a problem of youth waiting and expecting a miracle to happen. It is not possible unless they stand up for their abilities and capabilities to be discovered," another group member lamented.
Talent is a proven way to escape from the scourge of unemployment and it is incumbent on different stakeholders including the government, private sector and the youth themselves to help the youth find alternative sources of income.