National Gender and Equality Commission Chairperson Winfred Lichuma during an appearance at the National Assembly last year. [Photo: the-star.co.ke]About 1.2 million youths between the age of 18 to 34 years across the country are illiterate, National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has reported.In a report released on Wednesday titled, Status of Equality and Inclusion in Kenya report, NGEC says the figure translates to 11 percent of youth in the aforementioned age bracket.The youths, the reports says, are likely to remain uncompetitive in the labour market and are likely to remain low-paying jobs for lack of skills.The report adds that about 21 percent of youths aged 15 to 34 are non-utilised as they are uneducated, unemployed or untrained. In this bracket, those aged between 20 and 24 are worst affected.NGEC chairperson Winfred Lichuma said the figures show Kenya’s future youths will not be equipped to effectively compete in the labour market.“Given the challenges such as reduced employability, lower earnings and youth radicalisation, there is need to improve current youths employment,” Lichuma said as quoted by the Star.The report, however, suggests that there is a need to enhance programmes such as the Kenya Empowerment to provide second-chance education projects to young adults so they can receive basic numeracy and literacy skills.

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