Nairobi: Kenya’s labour market is undergoing rapid transformation, with key stakeholders urging collaborative action to close widening skills and gender gaps and ensure equitable participation in the future of work.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the launch of the Skills Gap and Gender Analysis Report 2025 in Nairobi, officials from government, county administrations, the private sector, and research institutions highlighted the urgency of aligning education, training, and employment with emerging industry demands. The Report, conducted by BrighterMonday, Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the GenKazi programme, analyzed Kenya’s workforce readiness across key sectors, including manufacturing, ICT, agribusiness, healthcare, and the creative economy, emphasizing the importance of inclusion in workforce development.
The Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang’ombe, stated that the government is committed to advancing gender-responsive workforce policies that ensure equitable opportunities for women and youth. She emphasized that inclusive talent development is crucial for unlocking business potential, driving innovation, and achieving equitable national growth. Wang’ombe also highlighted the need for sector-specific and data-driven policies to address regional workforce needs effectively.
Wang’ombe urged academia to align curricula with industry needs, encouraged the private sector to commit to mentorships and apprenticeships, and stressed the government’s role in facilitating partnerships that promote inclusive recruitment. She appealed to employers to offer young people on-the-job learning opportunities to bridge the gap between academic learning and the workplace.
Brian Mulama, Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Talent, Skills Development and Care, echoed the call for action, urging stakeholders to move from dialogue to implementation. He disclosed that Nairobi County is investing in inclusive programmes that expand access to ICT and vocational training, empower women entrepreneurs, and support creative and sports industries. Mulama stressed the importance of curriculum reform and collaboration across government, academia, and the private sector to create opportunities that match market realities.
Sarah Ndegwa, Managing Director of BrighterMonday, Kenya, emphasized the need for systemic reform in higher education and stronger collaboration with industry to bridge the skills gap. She revealed that the GenKazi programme is equipping youth with employability and soft skills, supported by an AI-driven career tool. Ndegwa pointed out that outdated curricula are a significant barrier to employment for young people and called for public and private sector collaboration to modernize curricula and incentivize employers to offer graduate training and apprenticeship programmes.
Dr. Edwine Ochieng, the Report’s lead researcher, announced that the study analyzed labour market trends in 13 counties, with insights from nearly 400 young people, 39 employers, and other key stakeholders. He highlighted that despite 75 percent of Kenya’s population being under 35, youth unemployment remains high at 35 percent, with most new jobs being created in the informal sector. Dr. Ochieng stressed the need to formalize the informal sector and make employment stable and dignified.
The Report’s findings showed a significant gap in digital skills among youth, with 93 percent owning smartphones but only 7.9 percent possessing the skills to use them productively. It also highlighted challenges in gender and disability inclusion, with persons with disabilities making up just 1.3 percent of the public workforce. Dr. Ochieng urged collaborative efforts to create inclusive employment systems that recognize potential, reward skills, and remove barriers.
Key policy recommendations from the Report include enforcing disability employment quotas, mandating digital literacy training in all TVET and tertiary curricula, and expanding inclusive internship and apprenticeship programmes. Employers are encouraged to shift toward skills-based hiring and co-design training with colleges. Development partners are urged to support digital access initiatives and inclusive employment models.
Dr. Ochieng concluded by emphasizing the urgency of using the data to build an inclusive, future-ready workforce driven by skills.