President Uhuru Kenyatta and his daughter Ngina Kenyatta’s remarks on youth unemployment in Africa have sparked angry reactions from a section of Kenyans.
While speaking at the Strathmore Business School in Nairobi where he addressed the African Philanthropy Forum whose theme was “accelerating youth employment in Africa”, the President urged African leaders to prioritize creation of a conducive environment that will unlock the potential of the youth to enable them contribute effectively to development.
“We can make these voices to be heard through education, empowering them with information, mentorship and skills enhancement,” the President said adding that accelerating investments in solutions for youth employment in Africa will be driven by all stakeholders working together.
“Together, we can build a new wave of positively engaged and well-equipped young African professionals who can help the region realize the potential for collective innovation and social impact,” ~President Uhuru Kenyatta @SBSKenya @AFPorg #YouthEmployment pic.twitter.com/rCQlQVMxVE
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) November 15, 2019
The Head of State also expressed optimism that with a diverse philanthropic landscape in Africa that includes trusts, private, corporate and family foundations and public corporate social investment units, accelerating the youth employment in Africa can be achieved.
On her part, The Director of Kenyatta Trust, Ms Ngina Kenyatta urged the youth to find solutions for unemployment, which is at 39% in Kenya.
“We come from a continent of immense greatness. And it is now our time as the youth to address and find solutions to the issue of unemployment, by going to new and innovative fields,” she said.
The two leaders’ sentiments did not escape the eyes of Kenyans who expressed their pessimism with respect to the direction the country is taking.
“Kenya’s especially we the Dairy farmers are broke because YOUR company BROOKSIDE is buying a Liter of milk for Ksh. 20,” Kimutai the Chemist remarked.
“Looks who’s talking about the youth when he is appointing ancestors to state jobs while we have thousands of qualified young people but anyway you need your cronies to guard your interests and your loot,” James Michael said.
“Why can’t the president address the injustices knbs is doing to its former employees. Enumerators haven’t been paid upto now yet we are told this government cares for the suffering youths,” Hugeprize Mwema added.
Wait..has he finally understood why Kenyans are broke before advising the leaders on empowering the youth? pic.twitter.com/hIGLutoqHk
— @Allern (@IsAllern) November 15, 2019