UNICEF Kenya Country Office – Situation Analysis

The UNICEF Kenya Country Office has embarked on a critical mission to comprehensively assess the state of adolescent and youth employability in Kenya. This initiative, part of the broader framework of the Country Programme Agreement 2018 – 2022, underscores UNICEF Kenya’s commitment to empowering the nation’s youth with the skills and opportunities they need to secure their future. Collaborating closely with the Government of Kenya and a network of implementing partners, UNICEF Kenya is dedicated to enhancing access to quality education and employment prospects for Kenya’s most vulnerable and marginalized adolescent boys and girls across various communities.

Project Scope:

• Objective: To conduct a comprehensive situation analysis of adolescent/youth employability in Kenya, with a focus on ages 10-19, to inform policy, program development, and strategy.
• Target Population: Vulnerable and marginalized youth in diverse regions across Kenya.
• Key Components: Extensive data gathering, curriculum assessment, private sector engagement, evidence-based strategy development, and financial recommendations.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaboration with governmental bodies, educational institutions, NGOs, private sector entities, and youth representatives.
• Data Sources: A mix of quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, research studies, policy documents, interviews, and focus group discussions.
• County Coverage: The study spanned six counties: Migori, Garissa, Nairobi, Turkana, Kwale, and Meru.

Key Findings and Recommendations:

The situation analysis unveiled several challenges impeding youth employability, including limited access to quality education, early pregnancies, child marriages, gender-based discrimination, and a lack of access to financial services. Other contributing factors included high HIV infection rates, extreme poverty, substance abuse, and a lack of work experience. Additionally, a mismatch between the skills youth possess and those required in the job market was evident. However, it was encouraging to note that the government has initiated several programs aimed at enhancing youth employability, such as entrepreneurship training, apprenticeships, and curriculum reviews.

Recommendations:

1. Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC): Ensure effective implementation of the competency-based curriculum to equip youth with relevant employability skills.
2. Market-Relevant Skills: Strengthen linkages between education, training, and the job market to ensure youth are equipped with skills aligned with market demands.
3. Digital Enablement: Increase investments in ICT to facilitate digital livelihoods and online freelancing opportunities.
4. Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training: Recognize the value of apprenticeships and on-the-job training as vital pathways to skill acquisition.
5. Mentorship Services: Provide career guidance, counseling, and mentorship services in all educational institutions to help youth make informed career choices.
6. Promote TVET Institutions: Popularize TVET institutions as attractive options for education and training.
7. Entrepreneurship Integration: Integrate entrepreneurship education at all levels of the education system to foster a culture of self-employment and self-sufficiency.

In conclusion, the UNICEF Kenya Country Office’s situation analysis represents a pivotal step in understanding and addressing the complex issue of youth employability in Kenya. It provides a roadmap for actionable interventions that can transform the employability landscape for adolescents and youth, aligning with the country’s evolving economic dynamics.