A number of youths across the country have had to come up with creative ways to earn a living even as the state of unemployment amongst Kenyan youths continues to draw concerns from stakeholders.
In Malindi, a section of youths have begun enjoying the fruits of solid waste management after engaging in the government’s monthly clean-up exercise around the town.
The majority of the youths who are now converting the waste into useful products to generate income had been jobless for years.
These youths work under the Malindi Green and Blue Movement, which is a Progressive Welfare association of Malindi whose objective is to sensitize the residents on the benefits of keeping the environment clean.
According to George Kombe, one of the youth leaders, there are thousands of youths who have transformed after joining the cleanup exercise which is normally done on every second study of the month.
"There are other youth who have got employment opportunities, they’re now employed courtesy of the cleanup, we have like two or three companies in Malindi who are collecting garbage from house to house and are paid at the end of the month,” said Kombe.
Kombe is urging companies that make chewing gums and other traders to buy dustbins to make sure there is reduced dumping in the town.
The youths have conducted 15 clean-up exercises so far after which they were paid as an appreciation and encouragement of trying to keep Malindi clean.
The Sunday, March 14, clean-up exercise was attended by Malindi deputy sub-county police Commander Simon Muli who was among the participants said they are happy that the move is steering good relations with the public and encouraging community policing.
In a different incident where youths step up to create employment opportunities, an engineering graduate resorted to starting his own business to keep-up with the harsh economy.
Somoni Miruka after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, ventured into the car washing business to form Board Mobile Carwash.
But now, with an unusual version, he moves around in a cart that carries approximately 150 litres of water and has a high-pressure washing machine.
Miruka washes his client's cars at their homes or whatever location, unlike his competitors whose customers have to drive to the car washing site.
He operates around Nairobi’s Donholm estate and looks to expand to other areas.
