Events

Dissemination Workshop: Political Economy Analysis of Youth Employment in Kenya

Date: 18 June, 2026
Location: Pullman Nairobi, Upper Hill

The Youth Futures Policy Research Project will host a dissemination workshop to share and discuss findings from the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of youth employment in Kenya. The workshop will bring together policymakers, development partners, private sector actors, civil society organizations, researchers, and youth representatives to explore the factors shaping youth employment outcomes and identify opportunities for more effective policy action.

Youth employment remains one of Kenya’s most pressing development priorities. Although young people constitute a significant share of the country’s population and represent an important driver of economic growth, many continue to face challenges in accessing stable, productive, and decent work. Over recent years, employment opportunities have increasingly shifted toward informal and self-employment activities, raising concerns about job quality, income security, and long-term economic prospects for young people.

The Political Economy Analysis examines the broader economic, institutional, and governance dynamics that influence youth employment in Kenya. Rather than focusing solely on labour market trends, the study explores how policies are formulated and implemented, the interests and incentives of key stakeholders, and the factors that enable or constrain reforms aimed at improving employment outcomes for young people.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to engage with the study’s findings and recommendations, while encouraging dialogue on practical measures that can strengthen the youth employment ecosystem. Participants will discuss approaches to improving policy coordination, enhancing skills development and school-to-work transitions, supporting entrepreneurship and enterprise growth, and expanding opportunities in emerging sectors of the economy.

By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, the event seeks to promote shared understanding of the challenges facing young people in the labour market and to encourage collaborative action towards more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive youth employment policies and programmes in Kenya.