OVERVIEW OF THE KENYA YOUTH SITUATION

STEPHEN JALENGADIRECTORATE OF YOUTH

MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING11th August 2014

Learning Route “Innovative ideas and approaches

to integrate Rural Youth in Agriculture”

Name: Republic of Kenya

Capital City-Nairobi

582,646 Square Kilometers

Population-41.8 million

42 different ethnic communities

Official languages: Kiswahili and

English

Has 47 Counties

290 constituencies

ABOUT US

AT THE COUNTIES

• Devolved County System• Governors, Senators(Members of

Senate), MPs(Members of Parliament) and MCAs-(Members of County Assemblies)

• National Government at the County level• County commissioners, Deputy County

Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs

ABOUT OUR AGRICULTURE

• Tea, Coffee, Flowers,

are grown for export.

• Maize, Rice, Sweet potatoes, Bananas Wheat for local consumption

• Sugar cane, pineapples Tropical fruits,

• Fish farming

• Livestock Rearing(local breeds and exotic breeds), including Cattle, sheep, goats, camels etc

• Chicken is a delicacy in many parts

BACKGROUND ON YOUTH

• The Kenya population is ‘young’.

• 75% of Kenya’s population is below 35 years of age.

• The youth (defined by the Constitution as between 18-35yrs) account for 30.3% of population.

• Total youth population- 16 million

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

• Youth account for 69% of total unemployed population aged 15-64yrs.

• Unemployment rate among youth – 12.7 %

• 90% of unemployed youth have no vocational skills or training

YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE

• Two-thirds of Kenyans

depend directly on agriculture for their living.

• Many young Kenyans struggle to find work, or only have low-paid jobs.

• This prolongs their dependency on their parents and fuels frustrations, which increases the likelihood of violence or conflict.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH ARE;

• Innovators: They bring talent and creativity

• Linking Agriculture and Technology

• Energetic and ambitious

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH HAVE:

• Placed Kenya on the world map in sports.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH HAVE;

…Revolutionalized the arts (music, theater, film)

A Kenyan has won an Oscar this year!!

KENYAN YOUTH LEAP FORWARD

KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS1. INCREASE LIVELIHOODS

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH Promote entrepreneurship

in agriculture sector among youth

Identify, nurture and develop youth talents in agriculture starting from schools.

Increase Youth participation in Agricultural cooperatives and groups

KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS CONT…

Promote participation of Rural young people in value chains, inter-farm linkages and job creation schemes

Increase access to business finance and financial services in the agriculture sector

Improve skills training and market linkages

KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS CONT…

2. INCREASE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH:

Engage youth in peace building, social cohesion and community service programmes

Formation of social movements – Youth SACCOs and empowerment groups.

Promote youth participation in leadership at all levels

BOLD STEPS TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH

• Constitution of Kenya-recognition of youth and obligations to the state.

• VISION 2030; youth as development actors under the Social Pillar

• The National Youth Policy (2007)

• Enactment of the National Youth Council Act, 2009.

BOLD STEPS CONT…..

Youth Enterprise Development Fund (KSH 6b revolving fund).

Women Enterprise Fund(KSH 3b revolving fund)

Youth training and skills development at the National Youth Service

BOLD STEPS CONT

• The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is now offering the Agri-Vijana loan targeting young people keen on undertaking agri-business and more specifically, Green house farming.

• A partnership with Amiran Kenya Ltd to support young farmers in acquiring green houses and global compliant agricultural inputs that present a shift from traditional farming methods to modernized ones.

BOLD STEPS CONT…..

30 % of public procurement (over Ksh 2b accessed)

Establishment of a capital fund (Uwezo) for youth(Ksh 6b revolving fund)

OUR COMMITMENT

Being positive towards young people;Securing strong national and

international networks;Mobilizing public and private sectors

towards youth agenda;Working in true partnership with the

youth;

…WE CAN BRING THE YOUTH TO THE CENTRE OF OUR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT…

THANK YOUENJOY THE FOODs

OF KENYA