Heartbreaking scenes of hundreds of young people turning up for the launch of Wajosee’s second-hand clothes retail shop in Kericho have exposed the county’s deep youth unemployment crisis.
Entrepreneur Prince Kipkoech Mutai described the massive turnout as a wake-up call, saying it showed the urgent need for Kericho to create sustainable livelihoods beyond survival hustles.
Mutai said while the launch of the retail shop should be celebrated as a sign of entrepreneurship and investment, the huge number of jobless young people who attended should concern leaders and residents alike.
“While we celebrate entrepreneurship and investment, we must ask ourselves: How do we transform Kericho into a hub of industries, innovation and employment?” Mutai posed.
Mutai called on Kericho’s leadership to re-evaluate the town’s economic future and pursue bold, long-term investments that can absorb the growing number of unemployed youth.
He proposed the establishment of a fully fledged university serving more than 10,000 students, arguing that such an institution would inject significant cash flow into the local economy.
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According to Mutai, a university would increase demand for housing, transport, food and other services, enabling micro and small enterprises to expand and create more employment opportunities for residents.
He further urged leaders to push for the completion of Kerenga Airstrip, saying the facility could transform Kericho into a horticultural export hub if developed with the right infrastructure and planning.
Mutai said a functional airstrip would open opportunities for farmers, logistics providers, traders and other businesses across the county.
Create Industrial Park
At the same time, he called for the creation of industrial parks to attract cottage industries and value-addition enterprises.
Mutai termed it unacceptable that Kericho does not have a tissue-manufacturing plant, despite its potential to host businesses in manufacturing, agro-processing, packaging and other sectors.
He said local entrepreneurs could establish such industries if given the right incentives, reliable infrastructure and access to affordable finance.
“Kericho must move beyond survival hustles to sustainable economic growth,” Mutai said.
The entrepreneur maintained that young people in the county deserve practical opportunities rather than empty promises, adding that investment in education, infrastructure and industry would determine Kericho’s economic future.
“Our youth deserve opportunities, not just promises. The future of Kericho requires visionary leadership, practical investment and urgent action,” he said.
Mutai’s remarks come at a time when youth unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing many Kenyan counties, with young people increasingly turning to informal businesses and hustles to survive.