Kenyan youth call for gov’t support to combat rising unemployment

The unemployment crisis continues to affect the lives of thousands of Kenyans, further exacerbated by rising inflation and difficult economic conditions.

The scarcity of job opportunities is pushing many to the edge of despair, with numerous graduates urging the government to provide alternative solutions, such as affordable loans to help struggling youth start small businesses.

Along the busy Waiyaki Way near N Market, three friends engage in daily discussions centered on the issue of unemployment.

 For the past week, they, along with others, have gathered outside the gates of an events company that hires casual workers on a daily basis, hoping for a chance at employment.

"I've been coming here for five days now," says Jane Wanjiku, an unemployed Kenyan. "I've been here the whole week, but I haven’t been successful. Today, I came hoping to get hired, but I didn't. Now I have no choice but to go back home."

Her friend, Joy Waitherero, adds, "We come here searching for work, but sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. This January, I haven't been fortunate."

Wanjiku, a single mother of two, has been without a job for the past two months. She was laid off from her position at a company in Lavington late last year, which also closed down due to the harsh economic climate.

She now joins thousands of Kenyans relying on casual labor to make ends meet. Despite the difficulties, she continues to take on menial jobs to support her children.

"I leave here around 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. to go home and stay there, calling my friends who have casual work to see if they can help me out.

Yesterday, I got a chance to wash clothes for someone, and even though it was raining, I still went because I have to work for my kids. It's tough, and even the students in Junior Secondary are struggling to get to school," Wanjiku explains.

Despite the daily struggles and unsuccessful attempts to find work, Wanjiku remains hopeful. "Tomorrow, I'll try again. I hear they take a few people on Sundays," she says. Her perseverance is driven by the hope that a better opportunity will come.

Unemployment forces Wanjiku to accept any work that comes her way, as long as it provides for her family.

"The first priority is food, then my children’s education, and after that, paying rent. I don’t want to disappoint my landlord. I try to keep up with the rent so that we have a roof over our heads," she explains.

Another unemployed Kenyan, Lilian Okere, emphasizes the importance of government support for struggling individuals.

"At least if someone can assist, even with a small business, it would help. It’s better than this endless cycle of coming and going without success," she says.