THE ROLE OF NGOS IN YOUTH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN KIBERA SLUM, NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Kibera slum has many problems ranging from poor housing, poor sanitation and joblessness among the youth. The aim of this study is to assess the role of NGOs in youth economic empowerment in Kibera slum Nairobi County. In order to achieve this aim the study aimed at (i) determining the socio-economic status of the youth in Kibera slum that call for NGO intervention (ii) determining how NGOs programs have empowered the youth in Kibera slum and iii) establishing the level of youth involvement in NGOs economic activities in Kibera slum. There are numerous NGOs working in Kibera, yet the youth have no employment and have little access to education. Many young people are seen idling around the bus stops because they are jobless and this has caused high rate of crime due to poverty. There for it is because of the above reasons that the study was necessary in order to assess whether the NGOs done.

The study used descriptive design. The data collection method included use of semi structured questionnaires, interviews to key informants and focused group discussions. The study used a sample size of 120 respondents which was obtained through purposive sampling. The study revealed that there are NGOs interventions in Kibera. It also revealed that although the NGOs have played a role in the economic empowerment of the youth, there is still a large population of the youth in Kibera who are unemployed and underemployed. This means that most of the young people are still going through absolute poverty despite NGOs interventions. The study revealed that there are NGOs whose interventions have positive impacts on youth economic empowerment in Kibera. This is because some young people have benefited from NGOs interventions through job creation, employment and business startup and school scholarships.

The study recommended education for the youth in order to get good job opportunities as well the more NGOs to get involved with youth economic empowerment in Kibera. Another recommendation is that the youth need to be involved in policy making in order to make decisions which affect their lives. This will make youth activities to be more participatory and as a result they will own activities. This is important because they will do what they like most and the NGOs activities will not be forced on them. Finally the study recommended that the government needs to support the NGOs efforts through availing expertise and technical advice as well as formulating policies on NGOs activities in Kibera in order to ensure that the young people are actually benefiting.