Training offers hope as Kenya's youth face job crisis
Nairobi
By
David Njaaga
| Jul 15, 2025
MyCredit CEO Wangaruro MBIRA (right) presents a dummy cheque to WEDCO Program Director Wanja Kiragu in support of the Youth Empowerment Program. [Rodgers Eshitemi, Standard]
Nearly 40 per cent of Kenyan youth are unemployed as the country struggles with a persistent jobs crisis.
While the national unemployment rate is about 12.7 per cent, youth aged 15 to 34 face a rate of 67 per cent according to the Federation of Kenya Employers.
The gap is linked to a growing population, high numbers of school dropouts and a mismatch between the skills young people have and those employers need.
Many young people enter the workforce without the skills required for available jobs while others complete school but lack access to further training.
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Limited formal sector jobs and unstable informal work have left many youth discouraged and reduced economic growth.
High youth unemployment has also led to social challenges including crime, drug abuse and mental health issues.
It has reduced consumption and slowed the development of human capital while leaving many young people discouraged.
In Nairobi, the Women’s Economic Development Cooperative is providing skills training to young people from low-income communities through a three-month Youth Entrepreneurship and Life Skills Program.
The program covers life skills, personal finance, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and mental health to help youth start and manage small businesses.
The program has received private sector support, including a Sh 500,000 donation from non-bank lender MyCredit, to expand training for more young people.
“We support this training program because it helps young people gain practical business skills and the mindset needed for long-term success,” said Wangaruro Mbira, CEO of MyCredit.
“Every shilling donated is not just funding a class, it’s fueling transformation,” said WEDCO Program Director Wanja Kiragu.
“Thanks to support from partners we can offer an experience that opens new doors for Kenya’s youth,” she added.
WEDCO reports that 160 graduates across six groups have started micro-enterprises and begun mentoring their peers as part of efforts to build income and encourage others to pursue training.
Government officials and employers say reducing youth unemployment will require investments in skills training and apprenticeships, support for small businesses run by young people, the creation of more jobs and reforms in education.
Addressing corruption in hiring is also seen as key to giving young people fair access to opportunities.
WEDCO’s training program is part of these efforts, offering young people a path to earn income and reduce the social and economic pressures that come with joblessness.