Increased unemployment has hampered the success targets for many youths in Kenya today. The problem can be solved if the youths start taking advantage of small business opportunities which are available.
One of the factors that define youths is the ability to stretch limits. When one stretches his limit, he achieves a lot; and this can be seen in the lives of youths in Bungoma County who have decided to roll up their sleeves and make ends meet.
John Wekesa, a boda boda rider in Kanduyi, Bungoma, said the venture is all that earns him a living. “I am a boda boda rider here at Kanduyi; I am very passionate about it because it is what makes me who I am. I pay my bills through this venture,” John stated.
He states that he is very optimistic about the job and that if all goes well, he plans to get a motorbike and even employ other youths who are now on the verge of giving up due to life’s difficulties. “I plan to own a motorbike one of these fine days.” Like any other job, John states that there are challenges, like competition from other boda boda operators.
Mama Tecla is one of a kind. She operates a Fast foods kiosk along the busy Kanduyi road. “I started the business back in 2014 because my family was on the brink of starvation. My husband’s salary was being outweighed by the needs we had, so I started this to complement our income,” said Mama Tecla.
She urged every youth not to be selective when it comes to jobs, citing that some time back, she longed to get an office job but she couldn’t. When asked to comment about the ever disturbing commercial sex activity going on along Kanduyi, she affirms that ladies should not use short cuts in life. Instead, they should sweat and work hard to get money. Her advice to the young ladies is to team up and start doing small businesses in town.
Mr. Wasike, a shoe cobbler in Bungoma said that through his job, he has educated his children to college level. He adds that in order to succeed in life, the youths have to start low in life. This comes after complaints that youths don’t want blue collar jobs.
