Creating Sustainable Livelihoods for Youth in

order to Prevent Destructive Behaviors and Assist Them in Fulfilling Their Potential

Wahome Gakuru(PhD)

9th April, 2010

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•Brief Introduction- Kenya Vision 2030

•Challenges Facing Kenyan Youth

•Initiatives to tackle the challenges: Equity Bank’s Contribution

AGENDA FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSION

Topic Timing: Mins

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•The level of investment in the youth particularly in their Education and deployment of resultant human capital through employment determines the nature and state of the nation

•A country that does not invest in its youth is busy burning its future

Premise

20061215_Inception report_Vision 2030_13h00

KENYA VISION 2030: TO GUIDE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 25 YEARS

Plans and implementation

Vi-sion

Strategy

EconomicTo maintain a

sustained economic growth of 10% p.a.

over the next 25 years

SocialA just and cohesive

society enjoying equitable social

development in a clean and secure

environment

PoliticalAn issue-based, people-centered,

result-oriented, and accountable

democratic political system

Overarching visionA globally competitive and

prosperous nation with a high quality of life by 2030

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YOU KNOW THIS ALREADYYOUTH ARE MANY!!!

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As 32% of our population is between 18 and 35 years of age.

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PLEASE NOTE- YOUTH ARE POWERFUL - Ask the 68% of the 9th Parliament MPs who didn’t make it!!

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In January 2008, we saw their negative energy demonstrated – Kshs. 200 bln up in flames!

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But they are also a great resource- are skilled and hardworking

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They are also busting with all kinds of talents:

In Music…

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They are also busting with all kinds of talents:

In Sports

DemographicsPopulation Size and Structure, Millions (2006)

- 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75+

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NOTE THAT MORE OF THEM ARE COMING

Approx. 15 million Kenyans are below 15 years

By 2012, there will be 16 million youths between 18 and 35 years and by 2017, they will be 24 million

Shall we survive such a Youth Bulge?

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Whilst many challenges face young people, undoubtedly the most acute is the inability to access real practical skills and employment .

That is, they lack the means to earn a DECENT and HONEST living.

Consequently, this drives young people into crime and drugs, and into a general state of hopelessness and despair.

The Real challenge is lack of skills & Youth Unemployment

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We Have to do something now!!!

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And put the Youth to work

Where will the employment opportunities come from?

Decorporatization

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

informal

formal

Where will Jobs Come From?

Disapora Modernized Agriculture Tourism Infrastructure Service Industry ICT/BPO Retail and Wholesale Trade Manufacturing

Therefore …

Let us start believing in our Youth

Let us listen to their Dreams

Let us care for them

Let us partner with them to realize those Dreams

This is the only way of Achieving Vision 2030

The Alternative is too Bleak to consider

“ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the

only thing that ever has”.

Margaret Mead

But Let us all be Encouraged

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THANK YOU

Email: info@equitybank.co.ke Web site: www.equitybank.co.ke