By Habil Onyango
For a long time, many young people in Kenya have struggled to find job opportunities after completing their education.
Active job seekers face significant challenges in securing sustainable livelihoods across the country.
Each year, students enrol in various educational institutions, from early childhood centres to primary schools, high schools, and universities, with thousands graduating full of hope, passion, and potential.
However, one pressing question lingers: “What happens after education?”
Often, qualifications go unnoticed in the face of experience that young graduates have not yet had the chance to gain.
The dream of a better life can quickly turn into a daily struggle, a silent battle behind every hopeful smile.
Youth unemployment in Kenya remains one of the nation’s greatest challenges, with few opportunities available and the job market becoming increasingly saturated.
During election campaigns, many leaders promise employment opportunities to the youth, only to exploit their aspirations for political gain without following through.
Silas Jakakimba, a parliamentary hopeful for Suba North, argues that leadership should transcend politics and focus on creating genuine employment opportunities for young people.
This can be achieved through employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and investment.
Jakakimba emphasises Suba North’s vast potential in sectors such as agriculture, innovation, the blue economy, tourism, education, and entrepreneurship, arguing that these areas can be transformed into engines of job creation and economic growth.
“Entrepreneurship is no longer just a choice; it’s a movement that requires a revolution fuelled by ambition, access to technology, and determination,” he stated.
As the Homa Bay branch UDA Secretary General, Jakakimba pledged to leverage his experience, networks, and leadership to connect the youth of Suba North with broader national and international opportunities.
“A number of our young graduates have failed to secure job opportunities due to poor leadership and lack of connections. With my experience, networks, and effective leadership, I will connect our youth to various job opportunities both within Kenya and abroad,” Jakakimba said.
Jakakimba noted that unemployment in Kenya is a significant challenge, threatening the country’s GDP and contributing to increased insecurity in some regions.
As he prepares to face incumbent Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo of ODM in the upcoming 2027 general elections, Jakakimba’s message is centred on responsive leadership, economic empowerment, and unlocking the constituency’s untapped potential.
According to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, the national unemployment rate stands at approximately 5.4% to 5.6%. However, these figures often obscure the severe issue of underemployment and the youth crisis, as the combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force reaches roughly 23 per cent across the country.
While national averages indicate lower unemployment rates, the youth unemployment rate (for ages 15–34) is significantly higher, with many employed Kenyans working in the informal sector, commonly referred to as the “Jua Kali” economy.
“The future of Kenya depends not only on educated minds but also on empowered doers,” he said.
“Bridging education and opportunity will require more than just ambition; it will necessitate reform, investment, and inclusion,” concluded Jakakimba.