UNEMPLOYMENT MENACE AND SURVIVAL TACTICS

Thousands flock at KPA to present documents

As many flocked to Kenya Ports Authority, Bandari College to present their documents for the advertised jobs following the striking KPA employees on Saturday 4^th July 2015,most people were stunned by the thousands of unemployed citizens in Mombasa County and countrywide.

Youth queuing for work

It is no news that unemployment is a big issue especially among the youth but the turn out was simply astounding. We have a lot of graduates in Kenya who are jobless 5 years down the line. Growing unemployment especially among the youth has been one of the worst consequences of the current economic crisis. Our education system is not built in a way that it accommodates each and every one who graduates. Jobs are scarce and it is all about survival for the fittest. Unemployment increases instability and cripples economic growth hence limiting the youth’s capacity to contribute to the economy and society                                .

This got me thinking of how Kenyans can survive in this highly competitive world because this problem does not seem like it will end soon so it prompted me to compile a list of what we as the youth can do to survive this:

1. Work Abroad

Paul Apedha and colleagues working in Liberia

Apedha Ngere Memorial Community Health Care Services

First of all who said that because you are born Kenyan, you have to work in Kenya?  There are many countries one can work in. Kennedy Otieno left his home in Kenya and went to work in Doha, Quatar, and is currently doing well supporting his family.  Apedha Ngere, a Clinical Officer and Remote Medic went to work in Liberia during the Ebola outbreak, still employed there and is able to support himself and his family. His income has enabled him to open his own facility called ‘Apedha Ngere Memorial Community Health Care Services’.  These are just to name but a few of the people who sacrificed the comfort of working in their home country and went to work elsewhere. Having realized that it was hard to get jobs in the country or in their chase for better jobs they opted to look for jobs elsewhere and it is working for them. The only thing they advise is that you ensure the agency you use is legit.

2. Start a business                                                                                                                                Geoffrey Kamau, a system analyst in Nairobi teamed up with his partner and bought a tipper truck and ventured into transportation business. He says just like any business, in the beginning it was challenging but now it is doing well.

Douglas,aka Omondi wa Mercedese,in his recent interview on AM LIVE(NTV) said that in Mombasa, he found that there were many opportunities that people were yet to tap into. He is the C.E.O of Mombasa Models and Shado Media Limited. The fashion industry is also doing well and there are several designers who have ventured into this promising business. The clothing industry is also doing well and a business you can venture in.

Omondi wa Mercedese during the recent Malindi Fashion Week event held in Malindi,Kenya.

Fiona Atieno, a hair dresser and manager at her salon ‘Fiona’s Salon’, started off more than 2 years ago and has been successful in it. The always jovial salonist who is great at her job says her business pays her bills and helps her be the strong independent woman that she is. Located in town, Meru road in the old TSS building, she has a good clientele and manages to do what she likes with passion and make a living out of it.

Fiona Atieno at her salon in Mombasa

One booming business to venture in would be the movies sector. Kenyans love movies and have been spending quite a lot on them, keeping up with season after season and series.

3. Partnerships

I know of people who formed chamas and buy land as a group then sell it after a few years at a higher price or they buy land for each other.  There are also other ways to use chamas like getting loans and venturing into a business together.

Partnerships also help in raising capital for a business or when you are presenting a business plan to a bank to get a loan.

The county government has been encouraging youth to form partnerships and companies which will help them secure government tenders.

4. Film and Photography

Many events are happening around us, from entertainment, weddings, birthdays, funerals and the likes. Wangama Film and photography is just one of the companies in this business and they at least get something out of it. Family and couple’s photo shoots are also a trending thing so if you are into film and photography, this is something you should consider.

5. Online businesses
   

   Online Business

Getting office space or renting a store may be expensive for some of us and that is where you need to consider online business.  Bee Dazzled and La Belle fashions are some of the online clothing business, doing well, not forgetting the Shamba Fresh online grocery store.

La Belle Fashion-an online store based in Nairobi

Bee Dazzled Clothing Online Business

Bertrand Iroegbu, a freelance consultant, digital marketing analyst and specialist of Nigerian origin currently living in Mombasa, says that there is so much that the youth can do. He talks of how within an estate, people can start dry cleaning services, car hire, car wash, do beading and the likes. He also encourages those undergraduates who don’t have jobs to venture into tutoring as they seek employment. In addition instead of staying home youth can volunteer in different organizations or do internships which will help boost their CVs.

Youth volunteering

Car wash business

Car wash business in Kibera

Bombolulu Bench youth volunteer in cleaning up the beach early this year

6. Farming

A lot of young people consider farming an old fashion practice but many people are currently making a lot of money from it.

Farmer in his Shamba

Fish farming

These are just a few suggestions, I am sure there are plenty more one can come up with. They say life is all about risk taking, if you are not a risk taker, then you are not living. There is a Swahili saying…..’mchagua jembe si mkulima’ and to echo Rigntone’s lyrics, ‘Usichague kazi,kazi ni kazi’.

Written/Compiled By: Harriet Mukana

Appreciation to those interviewed and their valuable contributions.