Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has committed to addressing the growing youth unemployment crisis in Kenya by convening a special forum aimed at finding lasting solutions. The CS made this promise during a meeting of young professionals held on Friday, 10th January 2025, at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County. The event, attended by elected leaders from Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties, was an opportunity for the youth to voice their concerns and discuss the challenges they face in accessing employment opportunities.
During the forum, CS Mutua encouraged young people to abandon the belief that government jobs are reserved for a select few. He emphasized that the youth should actively apply for vacancies when they are announced, underlining the importance of participation in government programs designed to boost employment, such as the Labour Mobility Programme. This initiative, part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s plan, seeks to create job opportunities for the younger population through structured programs that allow for skills development and job placement.
However, youth leaders in attendance voiced their frustrations over the barriers they face despite being qualified for available roles. A youth representative shared an example of a group that had traveled from as far as Tseikuru to attend a national employment exercise at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, only to be turned away upon arrival. University student leaders from the Lower Eastern region also highlighted the difficulty of securing industrial attachments and internships, which they pointed out as vital for their academic and career progress.
In addition to employment concerns, attendees called for the completion of key infrastructure projects such as the Konza Technopolis, Thwake Dam, and the Enziu River Bridge, as well as enhanced rural electrification in the counties of Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni.
CS Mutua acknowledged the need for more frequent engagements and assured attendees that plans were underway to organize “Maanzoni 2” and visit the region to meet with local communities. The aim, he said, is to listen to their views and foster a united front for progress.
