It’s all fun and games until you realize the rate of unemployment in Kenya especially among the youth is not a laughing matter. While we make light of the latest appointment of Moody Awori as a Board member of the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, a 2015/16 survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed that at least 1.4 million Kenyans who make up the country’s labour force are unemployed.
At the time of the survey, the report indicated that Kenya had a labour force of 19.3 million with only 17.9 million in gainful employment.
Although the report suggested that the unemployment rate for the entire population had come down, many Kenyan youth who have gone through proper university education are still searching for jobs many years down the line.
The report further said that out of those in employment, 63.2 per cent work full time, 12.6 per cent casually 13.9 per cent in seasons and 9.5 per cent part time.
Recent data from the Ministry of Education also indicated that of the one million young people entering the job market from universities and colleges every year, only one out of five is likely to get a job in the formal sector.
During the Annual National Youth Convention held in Nairobi early this year, Margaret Mliwa, a programme officer at the Ford Foundation said that most of the government’s projects, objectives and targets should focus on the youth as this will ensure that the benefits of growth reach the youth to help alleviate poverty.
The appointment of Moody Awori at the age of 91 is a huge step backward for a country whose government claims to care about the affairs of the youth and wants to empower them.
Govt should stop telling young people to employ themselves and they don't have money. Instead tell old people to resign and start businesses. If the Government has employed you for over 10 years you are now mature enough to employ yourself
Congrats Moody Awori at 91
— Eric Ndemange (@_ericndemange) December 5, 2018
Former Vice President Moody Awori who is TODAY celebrating his 91st Birthday has been appointed as a "Sports,Art & Social Development Fund formerly the National Sports Fund Board Member"
Yes! when we have Young,Passionate and Energetic Sports Souls like @CarolRadull .
Sighs! pic.twitter.com/EUWlUX47P0
— Hezbon Mureithi® (@HezMureithi) December 5, 2018
I hope Moody Awori honorably turns down the appointment. What can he offer that youths could not? Let him enjoy his retirement in peach like Moi, Kibaki.
— #INEOS159 #Eliud159 ⓀⓀ™ 🐦 (@_KevinKhaemba) December 5, 2018
Moody Awori was 35 when Kenya got independence. Now they want him to oversee the budgets for the 5 stadio we were to get 5yrs ago. Wau, A cowntry…
— Ramapithecus (@RamzZy_) December 5, 2018
Wow! Jubilee Government is Helping the Youth. Moody Awori is too Young at 91 Years to Hold a Public Office.#UNODCYouth
— Gerald Ngao 🇰🇪 (@geraldngaopk) December 5, 2018
Moody Awori appointed board member of Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund. He is 91 years only. Over 40,000 youth in their 20's are graduating this December. 😂 pic.twitter.com/S3as1LL1fC
— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) December 5, 2018
Youth unemployment in Kenya is not because there are no jobs but because of increased corruption in the government and negative ethnicity.
More than 500 youth leaders have identified unemployment as a huge challenge, deeply rooted in corruption, which is slowly destroying their future, “when opportunities for the youth are channelled elsewhere, and when jobs are withheld because of the tribal factor”.
Do you think the appointment of Moody Awori to the board is fair?