According to a recent Afrobarometer survey, slightly more than 6 in 10 Kenyan youth are considering leaving the country in search of better job opportunities. The survey found that 61.0% of Kenyan youth, who have contemplated emigration cite finding better job opportunities as their primary reason. With rising unemployment, limited opportunities, and slow wage growth in the country, many young Kenyans now see opportunity as something that exists beyond the country’s borders. Kenya is now facing a tough situation which is how the country can retain its skilled and ambitious generation in the face of an increasingly competitive global labour market.
In 2024, the Kenyan job market was on a positive trajectory, with over 800,000 jobs being created as economic growth accelerated. However there has been a slow-down in creating quality formal jobs amid a surge in university graduates. This forces many graduates to seek for employment opportunities in areas such as USA and Europe to allow them improve their overall standard of living. Moreover, high costs of living, limited career progression and increased corruption levels only make the option to work abroad more appealing. With the right interventions, Kenya can rise to the challenge and build a domestic job market that rivals opportunities found overseas.
Strategies that may be employed to improve on our competitiveness include investing in emerging industries. Sectors such as green energy, digital services, Agritech, and creative economies offer fertile ground for job creation. Public-private partnerships can stimulate growth in these sectors, while targeted tax incentives and funding programs can attract investors and startups. By nurturing future-forward industries, Kenya can create high-value jobs that match the aspirations of a digitally-savvy and ambitious youth. Second, re-evaluating education and skills training. Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions must be retooled to align with market needs, and partnerships with employers can ensure that graduates are job-ready. By preparing youth for both the local and global economy, Kenya can empower them to thrive.
Support for youth-led startups. The potential of Kenya’s youth is not limited to job-seeking they can be job creators. Yet many young people face barriers to starting businesses such as lack of capital, bureaucratic restrictions and limited mentorship. A more robust startup ecosystem, through innovation hubs, government-backed seed funds and relaxed regulations can unlock this entrepreneurial energy. When youth see a viable future as founders, they are more likely to build careers at home.
The need to emigrate is a sign that reveals the youth’s hunger for growth and dignity. If the government can recognize and respond with bold and youth-centric reforms, it can transform itself into a destination not just for foreign investors, but for its own brightest minds.
