Reprieve for unemployed youth as Government offers one million jobs

The government is working to solve the lofty unemployment rate in the country by offering jobs to one million youth through a digital portal.

ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru revealed that the government will engage educational institutions and local companies to help bridge the unemployment gap through the Ajira digital platform.

The programme is targeting at least one million jobs for the youth who will earn a decent wage from the platform annually.

Mucheru stated that the Ajira programme has so far absorbed 49 of the 67% trainees who have started making money from the platform after bidding.

The CS also acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic has rendered many youths in the country jobless with the economy being severely affected.

“The Corona virus pandemic has adversely impacted a situation that was already grim. Approximately one million graduates enter the job market every year, yet the economy does not create enough jobs to accommodate them,” he noted.

Ajira is currently working with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) and technology training institute eMobilis through support from the MasterCard Foundation’s Young Africa Works to help youths secure jobs.

Ajira currently has 300 Youth Empowerment Centers where Kenyans can access the internet, computers, training and mentorship.