Kenya

The world is challenged by the youth phenomena and Kenya is by no means alone. Of the 6 billion people in the world today, 1 billion comprise young people between the ages of 15-24. What is worrisome however is that of this number, 850 million live in developing countries and it is estimated that in the next 30 years, this number will have grown to 1.2 billion - mostly in developing countries.

The Ministry of State for Youth Affairs was established in December 2005 to address the youth concerns in Kenya. The Youth Agenda in the Ministry is to be delivered through the three key departments namely, Department of Youth Training, Department of Youth Development and National Youth Service. Youths in Kenya number about 9.1 million and account for about 32% of the population. Of these 57% are female. The youth form about 60% of the total active labour force, however due to high level of unemployment and lack of vocational skills demanded by the economy, most of them have not been absorbed in the job market.

Implementation Strategy
The Ministry of Youtth Affairs has prepared a strategic Plan 2007 - 2012. The strategic Plan-outlines the issues, concerns and challenges affecting the youth.

Click here to see details on brochure page 1, page 2.

These issues are
Youth and Employment; Youth Empowerment and participation and Youth Education and Training; Youth and Environment; Youth and Health; Youth Crime and Drugs; Youth and Information; Youth Leisure, Recreation and Community Service.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 2006

The Government of Kenya, through its Ministry of State For Youth Affairs, in partnership with Youth Employment Summit Campaign, Education Development Center-USA hosted the global Youth Employment Summit, YES Kenya 2006. The third global summit of the YES Campaign was held from 13-16 September 2006 at Kenyatta International Conference Center, Nairobi. His Excellency, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, the President of the Republic of Kenya chaired "YES Kenya 2006". The event, supported by a variety of development partners including the UNDP-Kenya.

Click here to read Kenya Times article on UNDP-Kenya's involvement.

Click here to read more

Finance Minister Announces YES-MSE programme through the Budget Speech

YES-MSE is the Youth Employment Scheme on Micro and Small Enterprises. On June 15 2006, Mr. Amos Kimunya the Minister for Finance read out the budget speech at parliament building. Although termed as "populist" by some, the Budget Kimunya read in Parliament on Thursday was revolutionary as it sets up a Sh1 billion kitty for youth entrepreneurship, hitherto undone by any Finance minister since independence. click here to access the story in the standard newspaper.