Create space, jobs for yourselves, Youths urged

Youths have been encouraged to consider inventing and venturing into businesses and not to only wait for white-collar jobs.

Centre for Advocacy and Awareness on Rights of Youths in Africa Executive Director Ruth Ambogo challenged youths to create employment opportunities for themselves.

"With the current structure of our society, we have to stand up for ourselves and come out with ventures that are self-driven by the young people themselves to be able to get a chance at the table," said Ambogo.

She was speaking on Thursday, in Nairobi at the launch of T-Stage Events Company established by two young graduates, Merlanie Chelule and Joshua Okello.

According to the latest study by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the young generation bears the brunt of unemployment in the country and consequently its impacts.

The report indicates that the youth aged 20-24 had the highest unemployment rate which grew to over 1,000,000 in the last quarter

Ambogo reiterated that the youth can succeed through dedication, enough planning and excellent craft.

In the wake of an alarming scarcity of employment opportunities, Chelule and Okello teamed up for a business start-up, barely a month after graduation.

With the rough terrains of securing a job in the country, the zeal to eke a living and to find a place for their fellow young unemployed graduates was the motivation behind establishment of T-Stage Company.

"The urge for creating an opportunity for ourselves and transcend to other people, giving them opportunity as well inspired us," Joshua Okello, the company's Chief Executive said during the launch.

Chelule as the Executive Director said "We first acknowledged and understood the situation and thought of what we can do differently to better it. That we cannot just sit and sulk on the whole thing," T-Stage Executive Director Chelule said.

She said, being observant and taking a step to actualise our desire is the surest way to acquire self-reliance.