Thousands of young graduates across Kenya are set to benefit from a new employment initiative unveiled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at tackling youth unemployment in the country.
The programme, dubbed NextGen, is expected to provide 500 paid placements for recent graduates, with the pilot phase expected to commence within the next two months.
UNDP says the initiative is designed to equip young professionals with practical workplace experience while enhancing their prospects for long-term employment.
Speaking during a television interview, UNDP Kenya Resident Representative Dr. Jean-Luc Stalon announced that the organisation is in the final stages of developing a digital platform that will manage applications, recruitment and placement of successful candidates in private sector companies across the country.
“We are in the final stages of developing the platform and expect to launch the pilot programme soon, starting with approximately 500 placements,” said Stalon.
Under the programme, graduates will apply through a dedicated online portal. Successful applicants will then be matched with participating companies through a recruitment system being developed jointly by UNDP and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The placements will run for a period of one year, providing participants with valuable hands-on experience while earning a monthly stipend of between Sh20,000 and Sh25,000.
According to UNDP, the financial support is intended to encourage companies to take on young professionals while enabling graduates to develop workplace skills, gain industry exposure and improve their employability.
The initiative will be open to employers across a wide range of economic sectors, with organisers seeking broad participation from businesses committed to supporting youth development and workforce growth.
Stalon said measures are also being put in place to ensure equitable regional representation among beneficiaries and to promote gender balance throughout the selection process.
UNDP further revealed that several corporate leaders have already expressed interest in joining the programme by offering placement opportunities within their organisations, signalling strong private sector support for the initiative.
It further expressed confidence that the program would play a significant role in bridging the gap between education and employment, providing young graduates with a pathway to meaningful work experience while helping employers access emerging talent.
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