💼 What About Jobs?
The protests are deeply tied to youth frustration over joblessness, rising living costs, and a sense of being ignored by the political class. But despite the unrest, the job market is still active:
- ✅Over 16,000 job listings are currently live across Kenya.
- ✅Roles range from customer support, healthcare, and sales to UN and NGO positions.
- ✅Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu remain hotspots for hiring, but there are also opportunities in counties like Turkana and Kakamega.
The 16,000 job listings across Kenya may sound promising—but for a country with over 1 million youth entering the job market annually, it’s a drop in the ocean. The protests aren’t just about jobs—they’re about dignity, inclusion, and a future that feels possible. Here’s a deeper look at why the current job landscape isn’t enough—and what both government and the private sector must do to meet the moment.
🇰🇪 Why the Current Jobs Aren’t Enough
1. Quantity vs. Quality Many of the available jobs are short-term, low-paying, or informal. They don’t offer stability, benefits, or upward mobility—especially for degree holders or skilled youth.
2. Urban Bias Most listings are concentrated in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, leaving counties like Turkana, Lodwar, and Marsabit behind. This fuels migration, inequality, and frustration in underserved regions.
3. Skills Mismatch There’s a disconnect between what youth are trained in and what the market demands. A graduate in IT may find only sales jobs, while artisans lack certification to access formal gigs.
4. Lack of Trust in Systems Many youth feel that jobs go to the “connected,” not the qualified. This erodes hope and fuels the belief that protest—not policy—is the only way to be heard.
🏛️ What the Government Can Do
1. Decentralize Job Creation Invest in county-level job hubs, especially in places like Lodwar, to support local industries, digital work, and green jobs. Let youth thrive where they live.
2. Expand the Hustler Fund with Skills Matching Link microloans to verified skills and mentorship. A boda rider with a side hustle in welding should access capital and clients through platforms like Balozy.
3. Reform Public Sector Hiring Make recruitment transparent, digital, and merit-based. Publish job outcomes and audit hiring to rebuild trust.
4. Invest in Digital Infrastructure From fiber in Lodwar to co-working spaces in Isiolo, digital access is the new highway. It’s how youth will freelance, learn, and earn.
💼 What the Private Sector Can Do
1. Localize Hiring Partner with platforms like Balozy to source talent from across all 47 counties—not just Nairobi. Spotlight pros from Lodwar, Voi, or Bungoma.
2. Support Paid Internships & Apprenticeships Offer structured, paid opportunities that lead to real jobs. Youth don’t need “exposure”—they need income and experience.
3. Invest in Youth-Led Startups Fund and mentor youth solving local problems—from agri-tech in Turkana to beauty tech in Kibra. Let them build the jobs they can’t find.
4. Embrace Remote Work Hire based on skill, not location. A graphic designer in Lodwar should compete equally with one in Westlands.
✊🏽 From Protest to Progress
The June 25 anniversary isn’t just a memorial—it’s a mirror. It reflects a generation that’s tired of waiting and ready to build. But they can’t do it alone.
Let’s turn the energy of the streets into policy, platforms, and partnerships. Let’s make Lodwar a symbol—not of neglect—but of what’s possible when we invest in every Kenyan, everywhere.
🔥 Hero Message:
“You took the streets. Now take the lead.” From protest to progress, Kenya’s youth are building the future through skills, hustle, and tech. On Balozy, jobs aren’t reserved for the elite—they’re just a tap away. Learn how you can build yourself up with the Balozy App – Join Us | Balozy
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