A number of Kisumu County assembly members are rooting for a county youth employment strategy to create jobs for the young population in the region.
According to the motion moved by nominated MCA Lydia Odhiambo on creation of employment for the youth in Kisumu County, the ward representatives want the county government to come up with ways in which employment opportunities can be created to the youths through relevant trainings.
Odhiambo said issues of youth’s affairs and development should be given a first priority within the county.
She said unemployment rate among the youth results into idleness, rising crime rate, among others.
Some of the proposals that have been floated include establishment of a county youth internship programme.
Nominated MCA Farida Salim said this will ensure that youth get hands-on experience and skills giving them an upper hand in employment.
Salim said the internship programme will also act as an avenue for absorption into the system owing to their experience and good understanding of the functions of various departments in the county government.
She said there is need to be reliable data for them to establish working youth policy.
East Seme ward representative Aggrey Ogosi said programmes and funds meant to benefit the youth such as youth fund, and projects such as economic stimulus plan had failed in the region.
Ogosi challenged the youth to venture into agriculture as a way of earning a living and reducing the unemployment rate.
"As a county we have a chance to produce for other counties but we are not tapping into the potential," said Ogosi.