The discourse among Kenyans in the past weeks has centered on a number of issues affecting the country – mainly limited job opportunities, rising public debt, corruption and the austerity measures the government needs to implement.
The conversation, which has been amplified by the youth, has brought into focus the challenges the country is facing and how they can be addressed.
President William Ruto has acknowledged the importance of the ongoing national discourse and taken some drastic steps that include the dissolution of his Cabinet as he leads in charting a new path for the country.
“Our young people have stepped forward to engage in the affairs of their country. They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognised and I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation with you so that we can work together and streamline issues that affect our country,” he said.
According to the President, Kenya now has a chance to address issues that bedevil the country, and more importantly, the youth.
“We are one people who belong to one nation. If we face our challenges together in unity, we will solve them, and Kenya will move forward,” he said on June 30 at a church service in Narok.
Unemployment, particularly among the youth, remains a critical challenge. The government has in the last two years trained hundreds of youth in digital skills to access jobs and other opportunities online as well as signed labour export agreements with various countries, including Germany.
Some 516,505 youths have been trained in digital skills in the last two years, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to succeed in the new technology-driven job market, according to the Ministry of Information,
Communications and the Digital Economy.
Digital literacy has been a key focus of the government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Besides Germany, Kenya has signed labour export agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Under the affordable housing programme, President Ruto notes the government has created some 160,000 jobs and more would be created as the country targets to build a million houses by 2027.
Further, through the Hustler Fund, which was started to enhance access to credit by the youth, the government has disbursed Sh54.5 billion to some 18 million people.
However, the youth have noted that progress in the job creation initiatives started by the government have been slow.
President Ruto, in acknowledging this concern and others raised by the youth, announced a six-day National Multi-sectoral Forum that will bring together 150 members, 50 of them youth to discuss the crises facing the country.
“As a way of charting the future from the current situation, I welcome all leaders and other stakeholders to work together to address the current economic situation through a broad-based political arrangement and to rally the country forward,” the President said last week.
He spoke after assenting to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill that paves the way for the reconstitution of the electoral commission, one of the things the youth have been pushing for.
“The IEBC remains a cornerstone of our democracy, responsible for overseeing regular elections at various levels and overall ensuring our electoral cycle is managed transparently and administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner,” he said.
Kenya’s public debt has been steadily increasing to stand at Sh10.3 trillion at the end of March, raising concerns about the country’s financial stability.
Many young people are feeling the burden of this debt, whose huge repayments have stifled funds to help expand economic opportunities and job creation.
The youth have highlighted the urgent need for better fiscal management, especially to check on government spending so that money is allocated to priority areas, including education and health.
President Ruto on July 5 announced various austerity measures that included reduction of advisers in government by at least 50 per cent, removal of confidential budgets in Executive offices, suspension of the purchase of new motor vehicles in government and doing away with unconstitutional offices.
The President further named an eight-member task force to carry out forensic audit of the public debt.
President Ruto has pledged for more investment in job creation, skills development and support for small businesses to stimulate the economy and provide meaningful employment opportunities.
The national conversation, driven by the voices of the youth, marks a pivotal moment for the country. It has brought an opportunity for leaders and citizens to work together towards a more sustainable and equitable future, ensuring that the aspirations of citizens and country are realised.