By Dr Paul karau
Having been involved in youth empowerment programs in and out of government, I'm watching with keen attention the rolling out of the Hustlers Fund. Here are my thoughts.
1. The main problem with joblessness is the battle of ideas. Yes, let's say cash is provided to hundreds of thousands of jobless youths and others. What business ideas do they have that will give them a solid grounding and enable them return a profit to be able to pay back the money? Have we not exhausted our limits on mpesa shops, boda bodas, and many other businesses?
2. We must accept that not everyone can be a business person. Some people are wired to be employed. And there's no shame or problem with that.
3. I wish the managers of our economy would set aside 60% of this fund to spur manufacturing. For instance, in Meru County, if people with ideas on 1) Banana manufacturing plant -to add value to our bananas by making juice, chips, wine. 2) Macadamia value addition- drying, packaging 3)Sunflower oil extraction 4) Maize value addition
The above would create direct and indirect jobs for more hustlers and change our economic landscape.
Of course value addition wouldn't be possible without addressing the cost of power, the bureaucracy of business licencing, the bottlenecks in marketing and distribution, and unfair competition from cheap imports. It is possible for the government to deal with cheap imports, while ensuring Kenyan products aren't priced beyond the reach of the Kenyan.
A single privately-owned macadamia plant in Kitheo could employ over 100 hustlers directly, and hundreds of others in supplies, transport and other logistics. It would therefore make more sense if the government rolled out grants or credit to individuals with good ideas and proper business plans.
Again, it is possible for the government to facilitate establishment of these small industries by offering incubation, advisorial and other extension services free of charge by leveraging on existing structures.
It is possible for the government to give these individuals 2 or 3 years tax holidays to establish themselves.
And it is possible to ensure that anyone benefitting from government capitation has good labour practices, and their employees pay taxes.
A 50 billion fund would establish hundreds of industries in Kenya.
For now, though I don't have all details, I believe the hustler Fund is doing what the ancient sower did: scattering seeds in the field and hoping for some to grow. True, some will land in fertile soil and will germinate, and if tended to, will grow. But most will fall on rocky ground, sand and thorny bushes.
Good morning.
Former Chair, MYS
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