Sakaja: Employment Bill will help youth get jobs

NAIROBI: Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja has refuted claims that the National Youth Employment Authority Bill will bar Kenyans above 35 years from being employed in Government.

Mr Sakaja said those making the allegations are doing so out of fear that once passed, the bill will compel the Government and the private sector to offer internship to young people after they complete their education.

He said while some Kenyans are opposed to the bill, other countries such as the United Kingdom and South Africa are in the process of coming up with a similar law.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament Buildings, Sakaja said the bill will help ensure the youth get jobs once they complete their education.

The bill, which is set for debate in the National Assembly, is proposing the creation of a database of all Kenyan youth seeking employment. The database will be manned by the National Youth Employment Authority and will maintain a register of job seekers in the country.

Once set up, the new body will demand that hiring authorities like the Public Service Commission first refer to the database before advertising for jobs through the Press.

"whenever a vacancy occurs the appointing officer shall give priority to the youth registered by the authority who possess the qualifications or skills sought," the bill partly reads.

The proposed law will cover both national and county governments and State-owned firms. The bill, further states that for one to be registered in the database, they must be youths as defined in the Constitution.

The law also seeks to fast-track youth to management cadres through affirmative action.