Date Posted: 4/17/2012 4:17:58 AM
Posted By: sashoo Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 382
Entrepreneurship development in most developing countries has been slow due to the reluctance of governments in these countries to embrace the entrepreneurial culture, but even as these governments have awakened to the reality that entrepreneurship drives the economy, and are now putting strategies in place to support growth of entrepreneurship, the youth, whose participation in entrepreneurial activities of any economy is crucial, continue to be observers rather than active participants.This is brought about because of the following hindrances, among other factors:MISCONCEPTION ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP:Most Kenyan youth, especially those in institutions of higher learning, believe entrepreneurial activities are for the illiterate and village-like people. They want to graduate from these institutions and land in white-collar jobs, which they believe are ‘cool’, and the ‘in thing’. William Osore, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, wonders why anyone in their proper mind would struggle to attain a degree just to be self-employed!However, the youth need to understand that it is only in self-employment where people can put all their abilities to play. One renowned Kenyan entrepreneur, Hon. F.T. Nyammo, in his address to the youth during a careers day at Nyeri Boys High School in 2009, advised, “There is a lot of dignity in self-employment”. He urged parents and teachers, to collectively help, the youth in identifying their strengths and how they could translate these into economic activities.EDUCATION SYSTEM:Until very recently, the Kenyan Education system has been 100% white-collar job oriented. The advice, starting from parents to teachers, has been, “Work extremely hard at school so that you get a decent job on completion”. This type of advice has resulted in mental block among many youth. The subjects taught in school have not done any justice either.However, the inclusion of entrepreneurship skills and business planning courses in the curriculum has commenced, though at an unusually slow pace. This inclusion is meant to change the perception of many young people as far as self-employment is concerned. During the Enablis, Chase Bank Business Plan launch pad competition, more than half the participants were young people from tertiary and other institutions of higher learning around the country.YOUTH ATTITUDE:I am reminded of one incident during an entrepreneurship lecture when my lecturer cautioned that if we hoped to be successful entrepreneurs, we must be ready to work even when everybody else has stopped working. To my amazement, one of the students complained, “Teacher, you are now discouraging us from becoming entrepreneurs”.The youth need to appreciate that entrepreneurship is about being persistent and having focus and that the council they receive from their lecturers during their study is crucial and needs to be taken seriously.EXTENDED FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY:In most developing countries, when parents die of HIV/AIDS, the youth is left with the responsibility of taking care of their siblings. This state of affairs hinders the youth from participating in entrepreneurial activities. If they are already entrepreneurs, it brings about divided attention, which leads to failure in the business.LACK OF ROLE MODES AND GUIDANCE:Even, as young people in colleges and universities continue to acquire entrepreneurial skills, exceedingly few may opt for self-employment due to lack of role models and proper guidance on how to employ their entrepreneurial knowledge.The successful Kenyan entrepreneurs; Chris Kirubi, Mary Okello, Nginyo Kariuki, Vimal Shah of Bidco oil refineries, etc. in conjunction with learning institutions, need to be aggressive in mentoring the young aspiring to be entrepreneurs. This can be done through forums such as business seminars, workshops, etc. We have had foreign successful entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Airlines, consistently share their valuable success secrets in our local dailies. Local entrepreneurs need to borrow a leaf from such entrepreneurs and help nurture the entrepreneurial culture in Kenya.It would be beneficial to young upcoming entrepreneurs, if top entrepreneurs in this country could publish their memoirs, detailing how they made it and what the young aspiring entrepreneurs could learn from their experiences.INEQUALITY AND REGIONAL DISPARITY:In Kenya this is mainly experienced in marginalized ares like Turkana, Lodwar, e.t.c. A youth in Trukana or Lodwar, for example, may have no access whatsoever to any entrepreneurial opportunities, due to the low living standards in the area brought about by their geographical formation and lack of infrastructure among other factors.CORRUPTION:Corruption is cited as one of the key risk factors affecting self-employment development in Kenya. Some officials entrusted with management of funds such as the CDF channel the funds to their own personal benefit leaving the intended beneficiaries helpless. Those who lack money to bribe such officials always find it hard to be assisted. GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SET UP:In Kenyan, the youth feel that the government has not put in place any mechanisms that make it easier for them to run businesses. Though the government is now coming up with policies that support youth entrepreneurs. The government has, for example, set up a Youth Fund with to assist the youth with viable business ideas access business finance. However, some policies especially on access of credit facilities are still not friendly enough as to allow easy operation of youth enterprises.
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