Under the theme “Future Ready: Equipping talent for inclusive digital job markets,” the event convened young job seekers, industry experts, and key stakeholders, tackling the barriers that keep Kenya’s youth, especially refugees and displaced communities, out of formal employment.
Kenya’s youth continue to face significant employment challenges, with only 10% of the workforce in formal jobs and over 31% of young people underemployed or unemployed.
The situation is even more dire in displaced communities, where 75% of young men and 74% of young women in Kakuma remain out of work. These challenges affect young people at a pivotal stage of personal and professional development.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful and sustainable career. We have collaborated with Amahoro Coalition, which has deep ties to this community, and combined that with BrighterMonday’s job resources and training expertise.
Together, we can do something phenomenal for the youth in Kakuma,” said Hilda Kabushenga, CEO of the African Talent Company, BrighterMonday Kenya’s parent company.
David Ereng, the Energy & Environment Officer and Acting Community Service Officer at the Department of Refugee Services, urged partners to support the young people.
“We have witnessed the resilience of these youths in Kenya, and it is our collective responsibility to provide them with the tools and opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
“This event has opened my eyes to the endless opportunities available online. I am now motivated to proactively find the opportunities and connect with potential employers to enhance the lives of fellow young people in Kakuma,” reflected Kuchma Ramadan, a Product Intern at Konexio.
“I have received practical advice from this forum. I need to tailor my CV to align with each job I apply to, reflecting what recruiters are looking for. In the past, I used a general CV for multiple jobs and didn’t succeed. This was a plus for me today,” observed Yeal Awat. “I have listed down the names of digital job sites to sign up for, and I will monitor them from time to time to identify suitable job opportunities to apply to,” added Tamaji Longodi.
Recognising the immense potential of Kakuma’s youth, the career clinic opened up an opportunity for young people to understand the importance of sustained engagement, digital training, and tailored job placement platforms.
Stakeholders also discussed policy interventions, mentorship programs, and community-wide awareness campaigns to tackle barriers such as work permits, bank access, and cultural constraints affecting young women.
“Through this partnership, we witnessed the incredible potential of young people with lived experience of displacement taking centre stage. We are especially proud of the connection built in Kakuma by our inaugural Amahoro Coalition Fellows, who are not only reshaping the narrative, they are reshaping realities on the ground and building lasting impact by mentoring the next generation of leaders,” said Isaac Kwaku, Curator of the Amahoro Coalition.
BrighterMonday Kenya’s Country Programs Lead, Sylvia Mbaabu, reinforced the clinic’s core message of agency and self-driven training, stating: “We are here in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and Amahoro Coalition to ensure young people have access to digital jobs they can do remotely. But where do they get these jobs? What training do they need? What other skills must they have to deliver effectively? This event has been about answering these questions, sharing digital job platforms, and empowering Kakuma’s youth to take control of their careers.”
Looking ahead, BrighterMonday Kenya, the Mastercard Foundation, and Amahoro Coalition are committed to providing ongoing support to the youth of Kakuma.
The immediate focus will be on ensuring the enrolled youth complete the Soft Skills Training program, empowering them with crucial competencies for the modern workplace.
Furthermore, the partnership will continue to facilitate access to online job platforms, guide CV development and interview techniques, and connect young talent with available opportunities.
This collaborative effort aims to foster a sustainable ecosystem that enables the youth in Kakuma to take control of their futures and access dignified and fulfilling work in the digital age.
