By The News Booth Desk
Email: info.newsbooth@gmail.com
The persistent issue of unemployment in Kenya is being exacerbated by a significant shortfall in social investment, a concept referred to as 'social harvesting.' This lack of investment is contributing to a widespread mismatch between the education young people receive and the jobs they ultimately find themselves doing. Many graduates are forced to take up employment in fields unrelated to their studies, a trend that is increasingly becoming a barrier to the nation's economic growth.
The problem is particularly acute among the youth, who represent a significant portion of the population. This demographic, often referred to as the 'youth bulge,' is facing a dire employment landscape that threatens to become a socio-economic time bomb. The urgency of the situation calls for immediate intervention from the government to prevent further destabilization of the country's economic prospects.
The phenomenon of young people pursuing higher education only to end up in low-skilled jobs is becoming alarmingly common. This trend not only undermines the value of education but also poses a serious threat to Kenya's socio-economic development. The mismatch between educational qualifications and available job opportunities is leaving many young Kenyans in a state of economic instability, unable to fully utilize their skills and knowledge.
Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, speaking at the USAWA project workshop organized by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) in Kilifi County, highlighted the frustrations faced by parents. She expressed concern over the substantial investments parents make in their children's education, only to see them end up in jobs that do not reflect their qualifications. "We parents are investing in the child’s education, but we don’t get benefits! There is no 'social harvesting' from our investments and this hurts," she lamented.
Fadhil's remarks underscore the growing disillusionment among parents who see their resources being wasted. "I educate my son until university and then he ends up being a tuk tuk driver, a taxi driver or hawking bananas in the market. It’s like education is there, but one does not get a job that he or she studied. That is a huge waste of resources,” she said.
The call for action is clear: there is an urgent need for policies that align educational outcomes with job market demands. Without such measures, the potential of Kenya's youth will remain untapped, and the cycle of unemployment and underemployment will continue to hinder the country's progress.
