GARISSA: Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has called on the youth in the region to seek technical education to equip themselves with skills necessary for self-employment, highlighting the dwindling availability of white-collar jobs. Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Garissa Primary School grounds, Jama addressed the growing concern over the county and national government’s increasing wage bill, which has affected job creation in the public sector.

According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Jama challenged the perception that insecurity and drug abuse in Garissa Town are driven by unemployment. He emphasized that job opportunities exist, particularly within the informal sector, but noted a reluctance among young people to engage in such work. “Thousands of workers every morning come to this Town from Madogo in our neighboring county and make money from this county,” Jama stated, urging the youth to face the reality of the current job market.

Jama pointed out that a significant portion of the county’s
budget is already allocated to salaries, limiting the potential for new employment opportunities within the government. He stressed the importance of balancing the budget to ensure funding for essential services such as healthcare and development projects. The governor also mentioned ongoing efforts to support youth education through bursaries for technical courses at North Eastern Province Technical College, which remains underutilized despite offering courses in electrical engineering, welding, and other trades.

“We have colleges here to train them on electrical engineering, on welding, and other courses for free,” he said, noting the college’s capacity for 8,000 students but lamenting the low enrollment numbers. Jama urged the youth to take advantage of these opportunities, which require only six months of training, to address both personal and community challenges.