A brief assessment of the Kenyan Youth Development Policy
Introduction
With more than 200 million people aged between 15 and 35, Africa holds the largest population of young people globally. Moreover, with new trends indicating a doubling of the numbers by the year 2045 (AfDB, 2018), Africa desperately needs the youth to solve and contribute to the continent’s economic development issues. Governments in Africa hence need to also solve and address the socio-economic challenges youth faces so their contribution is in their full potential. And where there is less youth involvement in developmental issues, need to be addressed for the good of all citizens( African Youth Charter, 2009)
The verdict that African youths can benefit and develop Africa if governments put priority on youth development cannot be underestimated. For African youths to benefit, this calls for African governments to acknowledge the imperative contribution of youths in Africa and forward the effective implementation of youth policies at member state level (national level). The African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6 is in sync with the aforementioned as it ascertains and calls for an Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by African people, especially its youth and women. This is a key actor, amongst others, and a precondition for African youth development as the AU acknowledges. This is the same also in Kenya as a case study.
Challenges faced by Youth in Kenya
Youths in Kenya constitute approximately 60-65 percent of the country’s population under the age of 25. Despite the youth making up this imperative percentage of Kenya’s population, young people’s participation and involvement in the country’s developmental issues is still very limited. The AU has undoubtedly recognised African youth as Africa’s biggest resource as they come with knowledge, innovative and creative skills to advance the continent's development.
Contrary to this, youth in Kenya are disproportionately affected by high unemployment rates, lack of decent jobs, labour market inequalities, lack of inclusivity to start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (which are mostly owned by young people), barriers to entrepreneurship, no decent jobs, inadequate promotion of youth-led businesses and barriers to entry to cross border trade ( World Bank, 2022). For instance, taking unemployment rates, the World Bank (2022) shows that Kenya has 24.9% unemployment rate.
Moreover, the International Trade Center (ITC) gives how youth-specific barriers in international trade include existence of power dynamics and business networks which are based on age, limited trade-related education or skills, limited access to trade-related or market information, lack of access to assets and finance and administrative and regulatory frameworks that do not favor young people. In fact, trading across borders is taxing for young entrepreneurs due to the prevalence of non-tariff barriers. This has been so devastating to youth in Kenya.
Kenya Youth Development Policy of 2019
To address some of the key issues and challenges being faced by the youth in Kenya, the government of Kenya designed the Youth Development Policy in 2019. The government of Kenya to make sure youth are empowered and that the various issues they face as mentioned, are tackled set this policy in line with national, regional and international guidelines like the Kenya Vision (2030); the African Union Agenda (2063), United Nations Strategy for the Youth (2014) and the UN SDGs (2030).
The key priority which this policy aims to tackle is the role of youth in the country’s development and to do so the policy created a Kenyan Youth Development Index. This step as ascertained in the policy is a step to track and measure the impact of initiatives, programmes, projects and activities aimed for youth at all levels. Moreover, with the challenges youth in Kenya face as mentioned earlier on, the policy states how through the enactment of programs and right institutions, it will tackle unemployment through creating decent jobs and income generating opportunities for youth, youth entrepreurship skills and financing, leadership skills, building digital skills (ICT) in local languages, which the government deem a prerequisite and powerful aspect for youth contribute in developmental issues.
The policy also states how the government will extends to provide programs to vulnerable youth including persons with disabilities (PWDs) through what it termed, “ help realize a mentally and physically health nation” ( Youth Policy, 2019) through programs and financial assistance. To be specific the policy ascertain for the government to place a budget on the National Annual Budget designed for youth program full implementation, with youth PWDs inclusive. The policy also acknowledge that youth are innovative with fresh talent and ideas hence it also states how the government will support innovation and creativity and will support the youth as it has a ripple effect on the country’s wealth creation and also job creation to youth in Kenya. Through engaging with all relevant stakeholders and partners including youth led organizations, private sector, NGOs, CSOs, faith based organizations inter alia, the policy uses the multi-agency approach to find ways to empower youth and tackle the political, social and economic challenges they face.
Policy Implications to the Youth in Kenya
The government of Kenya placed the youth policy and this was as a way to make sure that the challenges youth faces ranging from political barriers, economic, social and environmental are tackled. The policy also meant to support youth so that they are at their full potential as they contribute to the development of the nation as the highest population of the country. Contrary to three years which has passed, youth challenges to the fullest level seemed not to be addressed in Kenya. Although there are notable success stories in the effective implementation of some areas like education in Kenya, a majority of challenges still prevail. This includes high employment rates, high mental health challenges and a high drug and substance abuse. This is prevailing in Kenya and not sound measures have been implemented to help the youth that are facing many challenges. Issues of barriers youth face in trade to enter markets due to age limits can be said as much to be the challenges youth in Kenya face. However, the youth policy shows a unique and excellent roadmap to eradicate youth challenges, if the policy is effectively implemented and programs designed to ensure youth tackling these issues are provided.
Conclusions & Recommendations
The government of Kenya has shown effort as a way of wanting to tackle youth socio-economic challenges and also youth are involved in the developmental issues of Kenya. To effective tackle these challenges and fully implement the policy, the government of Kenya together with other partners including, NGOs, and CSOs should continue to offer inclusive and youth-focused economic transformation agendas; establish Joint African Cooperative Projects (sound developmental projects) in which all youth can contribute significantly regardless of gender, race, culture or religion. Youth are the most valuable resources for Africa’s economic development, with Kenya inclusive, and hence the role they play should be acknowledged and not to be overlooked.
Sources:
AU African Youth Charter (2009)
AU Agenda 2063 Document https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview accessed: 19 October 2022, 10:58 am
WHO website: https://www.who.int/ accessed: 18 October 2022, 11:12pm
ITC website: https://intracen.org/ accessed: 18 October 2022, 00:35 am
California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) (2020)https://caled.org/economic-development-basics/