MWAMISI: Private sector must create youth jobs and Parliament should compel it

Workers on site at the affordable housing project in Kajiado /HANDOUT

As someone working closely with young people in football circles in Kitengela, I witness their despair daily.

When we speak of places like Nongopir and Kyang'ombe as protest hotspots, we must also speak of the chronic economic exclusion that fuels tension in these places.

These are not just informal settlements; they are homes to thousands of young people left out of the formal economy, ambitious, capable and brimming with talent, but unable to find space to thrive.

The government’s stipend initiative is welcome, but it must be clearly understood that the public sector alone cannot absorb the labour force entering the market each year. It is the private sector that must rise and meet the moment. If corporates, manufacturers, startups and service providers do not step forward, then all we will have is a government running in circles, plugging holes in a sinking boat, while the private sector remains a passive observer. That is not sustainable.

To bridge this persistent disconnect between youth and opportunity, the private sector must reimagine its role, not merely as an employer but as a catalyst for youth-led innovation. The key lies in leveraging technology to mainstream the youth into Kenya’s economic transformation.

Globally, we have witnessed how targeted investments in technology and digital platforms have unlocked the potential of young populations. In India, for instance, platforms such as Udaan have democratised access to formal jobs by connecting youth in tier-two and tier-three cities to employers and supply chains that were previously out of reach.

In China, youth-friendly e-commerce ecosystems and digital incubators, many co-supported by government and private investors, have turned rural entrepreneurs into international sellers on platforms such as Alibaba and Pinduoduo. These are not accidental outcomes; they are the result of strategic collaboration and investment.

Kenya can follow suit. Our youth are not short of ideas. They are building fintech tools in Kibera, running digital marketing agencies from Nakuru and designing agri-tech apps in Kitengela. But these sparks of innovation rarely catch fire at scale. What is missing is an enabling ecosystem: robust digital infrastructure, inclusive financing, market access and deliberate mentorship. The private sector must move beyond pilot projects and competitions. It must embed youth mainstreaming in its operations, prioritising scalable apprenticeships, remote work hubs, localised tech labs and inclusive procurement. In doing so, it will not only drive growth but help build a Kenya where youth are architects of the economy, not idle bystanders.

Government can provide capital and incentives, but it is only through partnerships that results will be felt. For instance, a simple partnership between counties, youth groups and local businesses can create a circular economy around waste management, digital services or sustainable farming. Football teams in areas like Kitengela, if properly resourced and linked to private partners, can become platforms not just for sport but also for training, leadership and enterprise.

The stipend scheme must be used as a spark. If coupled with capacity building, digital tools, access to credit and links to private employers, it could help transition thousands into long-term productivity. But if it becomes just another short-term relief measure, then we will have failed our young people once again.

To foster a more inclusive economic future, Parliament should consider enacting legislation compelling the private sector to actively cultivate opportunities for youth. While the Constitution (Article 55(c)) mandates the state to take measures, including affirmative action, to ensure youth access to employment, this obligation does not directly extend to private entities.

The Employment Act prohibits discrimination and allows for affirmative action in line with national policy, yet it lacks the specificity and enforceability needed to drive meaningful private sector involvement. A more robust legislative framework could emulate the precedent set by the Persons with Disabilities Act, which requires private employers to reserve five per cent of positions for persons with disabilities.

Parliament could adopt a similar approach by legislating a youth employment quota or internship requirement across medium and large enterprises. Although the National Youth Employment Authority Act (2015) envisioned a statutory mechanism to coordinate youth employment efforts, its implementation has stalled.

Furthermore, emerging county-level initiatives such as the Kajiado county CSR Bill 2024 obliges companies to allocate at least one per cent of their net profits to community welfare. This includes youth development and demonstrates the feasibility of compelling private sector participation through law. National legislation could build on these models to establish enforceable obligations, ensuring the private sector is not a passive observer but a co-architect in addressing youth unemployment.

It is not enough for the private sector to praise government policy from a distance. It must become active, deliberate and generative, creating value not just for shareholders but also for the wider society. Youth joblessness is not a government problem alone. It is a national emergency. And if we fail to deal with it now, we will reap the consequences in the form of instability, resentment and wasted potential.

Let us be clear. Young people are not looking for handouts or sympathy. They are yearning for the chance to contribute meaningfully to society. They want to build, to create and to live with dignity. What many lack is not drive or ambition, but opportunity.

This new programme is a commendable effort to plant the seeds of inclusion and self-reliance. Its success, however, will depend not just on government support, but also on the collective responsibility of all sectors, especially the private sector, to nurture and expand those opportunities.