Youths from Kiambu county have appealed to the government to focus on job creation to end unemployment.
They said most of them are frustrated despite investing and undergoing training in higher learning institutions.
The youth say some have lost hope and sunk into depression and some pushed into social vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse and crime.
Led by Isabela Mugechi and Stephen Njoroge of Milestone Institute of Professional Studies, they said unemployment is the main reason for the current protests.
The two spoke during a graduation ceremony that saw 600 students graduate with diploma and certificate in various fields.
“The dire unemployment many graduates and those with advanced education face is a cause for concern,” Mugechi said.
She urged the government to ease access to state funding to enable them start income-generating activities.
“We have skills and technical know-how but the main problem is access to capital to start our own enterprises. There are many government fundings but accessing them is a toll order," Mugechi said.
The youths also want processing of passports and visas fastracked to enable them seek job abroad.
“Despite the government’s assurance of a seamless process through enhanced bilateral and diplomatic relationship with other countries,the problem has continued to recur forcing many of us to remain in the country jobless and hopeless,” Njoroge said.
He said the cost of processing of immigration documents is extremely expensive for the unemployed youth, urging the government to reduce the costs.
MIPS College founder and director George Maina asked the government to engage countries with a deficient workforce to absorb educated Kenyans.
He called for enhanced bilateral relations between Kenya and other nations to cement aspirations to promote employment of Kenyans.
“The government has been enhancing exportation of skilled labour to other countries as it seeks to address unemployment in the country. We hope that it will reach out to more nations to help skilled youths secure jobs,” Maina said.
JCM’s Bishop Ben Kamau urged private companies to moe with speed and create employment opportunities for the youth to reduce the civil unrest.
Unemployment has been blamed on economy’s sluggish growth and increased number of school graduates with no matching job opportunities.
The continued job losses in the manufacturing sector due to the high cost of production and increased taxes have also contributed to the situation.
