EMPLOYMENT OF YOUTH IN KENYA IN RELATION TO COVID 19: A CASE OF TRANS NZOIA COUNTY

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID 19 on employment of youth in Trans Nzoia County. The study was guided by the following objectives: establish employment status of youth in Trans Nzoia County in relation to COVID 19, examine the demerits of youth joblessness, determine measures that can be fronted by the county government of Trans Nzoia to quell the issue of unemployment among the youth .The study was guided by youth livelihood and empowerment theory of change by M Carson (1979) on the disadvantages of youth not engaged .The study explains the repercussion after the youth involve themselves in activities that go against the social norms . The study employed mixed research method and design where the researcher used quantitative and qualitative data forming triangulation design. The sample size to facilitate the study was arrived by use of the formulae whose proponent is Israel G D (2009) no matter how big the population is you will land at four hundred. The research was carried out in Trans Nzoia County one of the forty-seven counties that forms this great nation Kenya after the promulgation of the new constitution in August 2010. There are quite a number of research instruments that could be employed but in this case the researcher settled on questionnaire research tool. Respondents were considered in terms of gender, age, level of education and experience. Pilot data collection was done to ensure the study does not lose focus. The questionnaire return rate from the five categories ranged between 75% and 95% hence considered excellent in line with recommendation by Mugenda and Mugenda (1999). The study established that the escalating situation in terms of job scarcity is championed by a number of positions created in the job market. The wave of corruption has limited chances offered to those who have a formidable financial muscle. Lack of employment has plunged many youths into abuse of drugs, anti social activities such as prostitution and more so enticed to join terrorist groups such as alkaida, alshabab whose main business is to rock peace and stability in any given community. Many people have succumbed in the hands of those merciless gangs. Parents have lost hope in their children this has actually interfered with family linage for many youth are not willing to enter into marriage. The system of education has been diluted hence falling below international standard. Therefore the youth can land a job elsewhere. Possible measures to be employed by the community in partnership with the government to adapt a curriculum that will prepare the young for any eventuality. If they cannot land job in the market then create one of their own that will evade them from being idle hence lured to join fundamentalist groups.