Deliberative conversation · Open now · October 2026
How to reduce unemployment in Kisumu County
“What actions do you think Kisumu County government should take in the next 12 months to create jobs and income opportunities for the youth?” Jobs came up more than any other issue at the zKe Kisumu Dialogues. We want to hear from young people in Kisumu.
StatusOpen now
LanguagesSheng, English, Kiswahili
Taking partAnonymous
Where this conversation came from
The zKe Kisumu Dialogues
In October 2026, zKe brought Kisumu residents together for the zKe Kisumu Dialogues, a community deliberation on the issues affecting their neighbourhoods that they want prioritised. zKe analysed what was said using Talk to the City, which picked out 54 points from 108 speakers across five topics. Jobs came first: 47 people raised them.
People who raised each topic at the zKe Kisumu Dialogues
Source: Talk to the City report, zKe Kisumu Dialogues, October 2026. A speaker can raise more than one topic.
Nepotism in hiring (20 people): jobs, and even internships, go to people with a “godfather” or the right connections.
Connections (18 people): few jobs, vacancies rarely advertised, little word from the county about openings, and graduates leaving college for a place with no jobs. Many turn to boda boda, tuk-tuks and small businesses.
Financial barriers (17 people): paying for attachments, a certificate of good conduct, county permits and equipment, and no funding to start a business. When NGOs left Kisumu, many jobs went with them.
Local industry (9 people): no factories, so young people move away for work. Speakers called for fish, Ahero rice and other farm produce to be processed in Kisumu.
In their own words
“You have to know someone”
Speakers described a job market where connections, money and politics decide who works.
“So Kisumu County hakuna kazi. You have to know someone mwenye ako connected na system ndio upewe hiyo kazi.”
Participant, zKe Kisumu Dialogues. In English: So in Kisumu County there are no jobs. You have to know someone who is connected to the system to be given the job.
“Na ukipewa lazima ulipe. No free, even attachment… you have to pay a certain amount of money.”
Participant, zKe Kisumu Dialogues. In English: And if you are given one, you have to pay. Nothing is free, even an attachment: you have to pay a certain amount of money.
“Why don’t our devolution system give us an opportunity to have factories around these places?”
Participant, zKe Kisumu Dialogues.
Some of the ideas on the table
What should happen first?
The zKe team wrote these statements from what was said in Kisumu, to start the conversation. Agree, disagree or pass on each, and add your own.
Advertise every job
All county jobs and internships should be advertised publicly online and on local radio.
Youth on hiring panels
Youth representatives should sit on county hiring panels to stop jobs going to relatives and friends.
Free internships
Internships and attachments in county offices should be free and pay a small allowance.
Process fish locally
A fish processing factory on Lake Victoria would create more jobs for youth than any other project.
Hire local youth
County roads, drainage and building projects should hire local youth first.
No politics in jobs
Youth jobs and funds should never depend on which politician or party you support.
Take part
Participate in your language
The conversation runs in Sheng, English and Kiswahili. Use the tabs to switch language.
How to take part
Read each statement and choose agree, disagree or pass. You can also add your own statement. Taking part is anonymous. We will publish the results on this page when the conversation closes.
What did young Kenyans say before?
Read the results of earlier zKe conversations.
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