Agriculture boosts economic growth by providing employment especially in the rural areas, and there by many jobless youths in the Country being urged to start small and large scale farming so as to increase food production.
According to the AI Overview provided by Google search, the Country’s definitive number for unemployed youth stands at approximately 67% (for ages 15-34), with over one million young people entering the labor market annually but lacking sufficient job opportunities and thereby leading to high unemployment and underemployment rate.
Similarly, according to the National Council For Population and Development and The Federation of Kenya Employers, the mentioned age bracket should put their efforts in both crop and animal production especially poultry farming because theirs limited formal Jobs in the market, sentiments echoed by leaders from the Stanbic bank foundation while in synthetization programme in Kakamega town.
On the other side, speaking while at a funeral service in Lurambi Sub County, Jackline Mwakha Okanya, a large scale farmer and also a business Management officer from Mumias West Sub County, added that over a million young people enter Kenya’s labor market every year, and it would be better if the number is continued to be decreased by those staying in areas with sufficient farming requirements such as; fertile lands and availability of plenty rainfall, to keep in use of it especially the Kakamega youths.
“Over 31% of youth are underemployed, meaning they work fewer than 40 hours a week and are likely seeking more work”, explained Jackline Mwakha Okanya.
She Continued that;
“I urge the Youths in this County of ours to start crop farming especially Vegetables production that requires very little capital to start un like effective business management and finance that are crucial for SMEs to thrive”, she explained to the Mourner’s.
Hon. Jackline Mwakha Okanya who’s eyeing for the Women Representative Seat of Kakamega County in the next general election of 2027, advised the small scale farmers especially the young women to come on board and register as voters .
“Agriculture provides direct income and employment for a significant portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, which are often the poorest. By raising the income of these communities, it stimulates the local economy and reduces poverty. I there by urge each and everyone of you to use the available chance of Voter registration started by the IEBC to walk into the pooling stations and register as voters as the only way that will help in electing leaders of high integrity and be convened in Agriculture like me”, she articulated.
She furthermore explained that various elected political leaders in Kakamega have remained dormant in matters with infrastructure development and Industrial promotion and that being the main cause of high rate of un employment in the County.
“ Unlike other County leaders that have put in their efforts in bringing development change to their people, we as Kakamega continue to be sluggish in poverty. Our source of income which used to be the Mumias Sugar company isn’t at its initial production level as it used to be yet we have leaders in offices”, she spoke sadly.
Hon. Okanya finalized by explaining that; she will abide by the Kenya’s Constitution adopted in a referendum in 2010 of increasing the representation of Kakamega women in parliament in case elected as the next Women Representative of Kakamega County.
“As the awaiting Women Representative of Kakamega, I’ll primarily promote the interests of women and the girl child in all our Sub Counties without discrimination. I will also uplift the social, economic and political status of women and girls in this country”, Hon. Jackline Mwakha Okanya finalized to the Mourners and to the entire residents of Kakamega County.
…End…
WESTERN NEWS EXPRESS. 