[Machakos governor with Primary School pupils in Matungulu [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Economist Ken Gichinga has released the state of the counties report that ranks Machakos county as having admirable literacy levels as well as alarming unemployment rate. The Eastern region economic hub headed by Maendeleo Chap Chap boss Dr. Alfred Mutua has insufficient employment opportunities.
The study placed Machakos unemployment rate at 52 per cent. This means that more than half of job seekers in Machakos County are likely to miss a job. Gichinga stated in his report that the higher rate is because of lack of skills despite the ability to read and write.
City counties of Mombasa and Nairobi have a lower unemployment rate than Machakos. In Nairobi, the rate is at 14.7 per cent while Mombasa is at 15 per cent.
Meanwhile, the report will be a catalyst to Machakos and other Ukambani counties to invest more in education including tertiary institutions. The leadership will also have to empower its county residents as is the case with Governor Mutua and his Kitui counterparty Charity Ngilu.