Green jobs offer a glimmer of hope for many jobless youths

Recycling and clean-up initiatives contribute to a sustainable future for all. [iStockphoto]

The youth in Kenya are arguably a highly tech-savvy generation, a vibrant age group filled with agility and optimism about shaping their respective careers, and future in general. They are the intentional voice of their younger peers, the adolescents, who are quickly budding into the youth age group.

While they comprise of over 80 per cent of Kenya's population, they are faced with many challenges that almost crash their dreams as they watch the available economic opportunities fade away due to conflict or poverty.

Every year, close to 800,000 young people enter the already bloated job market only to be met with hindrances such as lack of capital, negative impact of climate change, corruption and relevant "several years of experience" to gain access to meaningful and gainful and employment opportunities.

As Kenya and the world at large commemorates this year's United Nation's International Youth Day themed "Celebrating Ways #YouthLead as Agents of Change for the Global Goals", it is essential to recognise the profound contribution of the youth in driving climate action conversations.

The government will be celebrating the integral contribution of its young people in supporting the fight against climate change. The dedication and enthusiasm of the young people to protect the environment, through recycling and clean-up initiatives, is evident, as it contributes to a sustainable future for all.

However, it is equally crucial to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by vulnerable and excluded youths such as lack of access to market for the recycled items and hunger crisis. Destiny Shapers, a youth group in Nairobi's Mathare for instance, collect waste products in their community to make affordable, odourless and smokeless briquettes which is an alternative for the relatively expensive charcoal used in many households. The group also recycles used hair-braids into bags.

Vulnerable communities living in emergency regions such as northern Kenya bear the brunt due to the changing weather patterns. Young women and men have no choice but to be absent from school as they join their parents in search of food, water and pasture, affecting their future.

Ninety four per cent of the respondents of an online survey, 'Young People and Green Skills', said they have been directly exposed to climate change due to fluctuations in temperatures, rainfall patterns or seasons.

Keep Reading

Inclusive climate-resilient infrastructure projects such as climate-smart agriculture offer a unique opportunity to create employment for vulnerable young people. By providing them with green job prospects, we will not only promote gender equality but also empower them economically. Creating an enabling environment that encourages their meaningful participation in such initiatives is vital.

Farming of drought-resilient crops is also one of the mitigation measures to avert the drought crisis. While youth unemployment is a huge menace in this country, there is need for a multi-faceted approach to provide a sustainable ecosystem that involves active youth participation addressing social exclusion.

Mr Gulali is the Interim Youth Empowerment and Employability Advisor, Plan International Kenya