Unemployment among the youth in Kenya and how to curb it

  

Date Posted: 8/31/2011 7:38:26 AM

Posted By: wishstar  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 7507

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Unemployment is a hazard peculiar to all of us. Most of the youth are the ones feeling the pinch of suffering brought forth due to unemployment. One may have passed through primary to secondary and even to university level and still be unable to find a job easily. Most join the popularly known KTN (Kenya Tarmacking Network) only to spend even a whole year or more just searching for the appropriate job. Some just want to be employed in a particular field in which they are specialized and will shun from other offers. This should not be the case, however.

Most youth seek employment and do not consider creating employment. In fact, most of them prefer only white-collar jobs. Imagine how the rate of unemployment in Kenya would reduce if the youth decide to create employment rather than seeking to be employed.

It is not such a tough job to create employment as one just needs to have the necessary skills and be well informed of the available opportunities. It should be known that there is a world of possibilities out there for anyone who is willing and ready to start a business. The thing is just to find a way in which you can winnow the many business opportunities to find the type of business that suits you. Some of the questions one needs to ask are:

i. What type of business do I want:
- retail or wholesale
- franchise or independent
- product or service oriented
- storefront or non-storefront
- in which industry.

ii. Do you have the right stuff to start the business:
- commitment
- adequate knowledge
- adequate start up money
- business support.

Most youth give petty excuses to why they cannot start their own business; some say that they haven't got enough capital, some are afraid to

take risks while others are just too proud of themselves and wont start a business considered to be small.

Don't give excuses that you lack adequate start-up capital as even the smallest amount of money can start a business, only that it would be small. The smallness of the business should not discourage you as a big thing always starts from a small thing. You may start that business you consider to be small and later it may even be one of the biggest companies, not only in Kenya, but also the world. One also ought to understand that in order to succeed, one should not fear taking risks. The risks are there to make you stronger. They can be overcome if extra effort and determination is put in place. Lastly, don't be too proud of yourself that you cannot start a small business. It is better to feed yourself from your own sweat rather than being fed from the money another person has worked hard for.

In order to start a business, one needs funds. There are many sources of funds, among them:
i. Equipment leasing
ii. Community development financial institutions
iii. Micro-loans
iv. Asset-based loans
v. Bank-term loans
vi. Private loan guarantees
vii. Friends and family.

Take that bold step and start your own business and you shall be contented with yourself.

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