Determinants of Unemployment among the youth in Bahati Sub-County in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Youth unemployment in Kenya stood at 18% in 2014 as opposed to 6% in both Uganda and Tanzania. The high rate of unemployment has negative consequences on the society including wastage of resources, high rates of crime and substance abuse among others. In Bahati Sub-County, prevalence of illicit alcohol use among the youths stands at 51.6%. Most studies examining causes of youth unemployment in Kenya have focused on demand side factors such as economic growth and availability of opportunities. These factors cannot explain unemployment in Bahati because the area is endowed with vast resources including rich agricultural land, close proximity to Nakuru town that provide ready market for produce, and proximity to Menengai Crater that provide opportunity for tourism. It is in this regard that the current study sought to examine supply-side factors that influence youth unemployment in the area. Specifically, the study examined the influence of youths’ economic background, social background, and attitude towards work on their employment status. The study was guided by the Social Network Theory and Human Capital Theory. It used cross-sectional survey design where a sample of 245 youths was selected from the population of 43,280 youths residing in the area. Clustered random sampling method was used where the sub-County was divided into five clusters in line with the five wards that make up the sub-County, and 49 youths selected randomly from each stratum. Data was collected using questionnaires containing both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Answers to closed-ended questions were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages as well as inferential statistics such as chi-square. Results were presented in Tables and Figures. Data generated from the open-ended questions was analysed using the thematic technique. Results showed that the youth unemployment rate in Bahati Sub-County stands at 16%. Father occupation is the only economic factor that had a significant effect on youth unemployment. Father education, mother education, family structure, and family size where the social factors that had a significant influence on youth unemployment. On attitude towards work; career planning, mentorship, and attitude towards were the factors that had a significant influence on youth unemployment. To promote youth employment, study recommends that the government should develop welfare programmes to support families with low socioeconomic status. The study also recommends that stakeholders in the education sector should develop and strengthen career guidance and apprenticeship programmes so as to mentor and help the youths to develop their careers.