Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has said the high level of unemployment among the youth is a threat to the security of the nation.
“The threat to security is not only posed by al-Shabaab terrorists but also by local youth who have no jobs,” said Kabogo.
Speaking on Wednesday at Limuru Town, Kiambu County during a special session of prayers for the nation, Kabogo said the issue of unemployment among the youth is a monumental challenge facing the nation and called upon leaders to address this issue before it explodes.
“Elected leaders have a responsibility to address the issue of unemployment among the youth before it gets out of control,” said Kabogo.
He added: “We are experiencing a hectic time with youth who have not secured employment and the national and devolved units should act quickly to arrest this situation.”
He however thanked the national government for launching the National Youth Service (NYS) and said his administration has rolled out the Kiambu Biashara Fund to cater for the youth.
He said the Kiambu Biashara Fund would be increased to Sh2 billion to help hundreds of youth without employment to start income-generating projects.
“We are in the process of increasing the fund to a tune of Sh2billion to help unemployed youth start small businesses like hawking mitumba and agribusiness enterprises,” said Kabogo.
Kabogo noted that the fund has attracted huge numbers of applicants and urged more youth to apply for the loans to improve their livelihood.
“Youth, women and persons with disability will benefit from the fund that attracts friendly borrowing terms and I urge youth to apply for loans and this will go well with job and wealth creation,” said Kabogo.
The Kiambu County boss called on elected leaders to be in the front line in addressing the issues facing the youth.
“A nation that does not invest in youth is set to fail,” said Kabogo.