CS urges innovative solutions to combat youth unemployment in Kenya
Anita Omwenga-KNA
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen has called for innovative ways to address youth unemployment in the country.
The CS pointed out that to address the problem of unemployment, the government must continuously push for creative innovation solutions that not only offer the much-needed jobs but also inspire a culture of innovation and self-employment.
Speaking at the Fourth Kenya Innovation Week 2024 Africa Edition in Nairobi, Murkomen said it is important that the country create an innovation culture that would encourage the young people to venture into entrepreneurship.
“The youth are the bedrock of our vibrant innovation ecosystem, making Kenya the leading destination for venture capitalism,” Murkomen said.
According to the Kenya Institute for Public Policy and Research, approximately 500,000 to 800,000 youths enter the job market each year. However, the economy has been unable to provide sufficient employment opportunities.
Murkomen said the government is leveraging technology and innovation to create opportunities, reduce inequality and drive the country’s economic growth.
“The innovation week is an annual convention that energizes our innovation ecosystem. It has become a stage for showcasing cutting edge innovations that spur job creation,” the CS said.
He said the government will continuously support innovation and that Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) has evolved into a dynamic forum contributing to the Bottom- Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The CS divulged that the government is finalizing the national intellectual property policy to ensure innovators and creators get reasonable returns from their innovation and solidify our position as the leading startup destination in Africa.
“The Intellectual Property Policy, now in its final stages of development, will robustly protect intellectual property and cement our position as the startup capital of Africa,” he said.
Murkomen said countries that have grown have been proper protectors of intellectual property.
“Most of this research if not patented, if it is not given a trademark, if not copyrighted and is not given geographical indications, may not have the potential to really attract venture capitalists,” he further said.
Murkomen challenged the youth to take advantage of online opportunities to uplift their lives instead of using social media to spread hate.
The CS acknowledged the role of Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) in transforming academic institutions and ideas in educational research to working ideas through innovation acceleration.
“Kenya Innovation Week established by the government, convened through Kenya National Innovation Agency serves as a premier platform to assess, celebrate and energize the national innovation ecosystem,” he added.
On his part, KeNIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Tonny Omwansa said Kenya’s 10 Year Innovation Masterplan will bolster the country’s innovation ecosystem and propel it towards achieving targets for job creation, economic growth and global competitiveness.