POVERTY IN KENYA

POVERTY IN KENYA

Kenya has been struggling with poverty for many years, and it is widespread throughout the whole country. Having been brought up in this country, I have faced most of the challenges caused by a lack of sufficient resources and means to secure basic needs. This severe poverty is caused by an undiversified economy, government corruption, health problems, and water crisis.

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN KENYA

Poverty in Kenya is caused by many factors such as; unemployment, tribalism, gender inequality, corruption, conflict, over-population, failing education system, rural-urban migration, and many others.

Unemployment- Many Kenyans, especially the youths, are jobless due to lack of job opportunities. Without a livelihood, the increase in poverty is inevitable. Job competition in companies has risen over the years because there is no specific limit to retirement age. Youth graduates lack jobs since those jobs are occupied by the older generation, which should have retired.

Child labor – Poverty has left many parents, no other choice but to introduce their children to work at an ear ge to help family’sd for the family’s basic needs. This eventually leads the children to drop out of school. Employers take advantage of children from impoverished families, therefore, paying them low wages for their work.

Overpopulation- Kenya has a population of more than 40 million people. In the past few years, the community has been increasing rapidly. Although the government has introduced various family planning methods, the population increase has not been adequately controlled since most of those methods have varying results. The more the population of this country increases, the more poverty rises.

Gender inequality – Ever since the past era, women have been looked down in many communities not only in Kenya but also around the world. They have been seen as weak, and thus, the only responsibilities entrusted unto children’ m are houchildren’sand the children’s care. This has led to women being discriminated in communities. On the other hand, men are seen as superior species, therefore giving them the opportunity to pursue higher levels of education. This clearly shows inequality which has contributed to poverty since only men had jobs.

Corruption – Kenya has been rated as one of the leading countries in crime in Africa. In particular, the government is full of corruption since many leaders use corrupt ways to obtain land, acquire job positions, and the money that is supposed to help the people go to their pockets. The judiciary and government offices have been named the center of corruption in Kenya. The police take bribes from people and help criminals get away with crimes. The depth of poverty in this country runs deep; therefore, it is hard to curb the cycle of corruption.

Failing education system – Most Kenyans rely on the government to get educated. Considering the high population increase, there are many students at schools, making it hard for the government to deliver all that is required for smooth learning. Madon’trts of Kenya don’t have enough schools to accommodate learners. Another cause of the failing system is insufficient resources at schools. The number of well-trained teachers is not enough in public schools since private school owners offer better deals when it comes to salaries than the government. Teachers in public schools sometimes cover several subjects as a result of not having enough teachers, which is a challenge to them hence not being able to deliver fully.

Tribalism – Tribalism is the state where individuals within a particular tribe emphasize strong loyalty to their community while exalting themselves as superiors to tone’ est. As such, one’sommitment of one’s tribe results to strong negative emotions for any person outside the group. Tribalism is responsible for a lot of ills in Kenya including underdevelopment, corruption, rigging of elections and civil war. In terms of employment, people are given jobs based on their tribe regardless of having low qualifications. Hence the insufficient use of available skills. Bad governance and lack of accountability has also b n’tsminked to trdon’tsm as people don’t question a government run by their tribesmen. Getting a good job also depends on the tribe one comes from. One might be qualified but fail to secure a job due to tribe difference. That explains the reason why Kenya has jobless graduates and vacant offices in some companies.

Rural – urban migration – The migration of people from villages to towns has caused several things that contribute to the underdevelopment in Kenya. After getting educated almost everyone thinks of getting employed and the only places with plenty of opportunities are towns. Migration has caused overpopulation in Kenyan towns and cities and has increased competition for jobs.

EFFECTS OF POVERTY

1. Poverty has led to the increase in the number of families living in the slums.
2. There has been an increase in crimes mostly theft since getting food and other necessities is a struggle.
3. Increase in the number of children dropping out school.
4. Many youths turn to drugs abuse and alcoholism.
5. Conflicts in families which leads to poverty.
6. Malnutrition diseases caused by lack of a balanced diet since many families cannot afford to.
7. Health problems like depression or even suicide.
8. Early marriages.

 

HOW TO ERADICATE POVERTY

Increase job opportunities- The government of Kenya should provide more and better jobs for the youths even in rural areas to avoid overpopulation in the cities where finding jobs is a challenge due to competition.

Improve agricultural productivity- It is important that the government provide high quality extension services that will help farmers get better access to those amenities.

Affordable living standards- The government should start investing in infrastructure and more affordable housing. It should also consider the many poor families by reducing food costs to make life easier for them.

Enlarge the scope of health services and water- The government should focus on providing better health services and clean water all over the country. This will reduce water contamination and increase the overall environmental health risk.

Improve the education system- More schools should be built in order to accommodate the pe n’teducatednt todon’teducated but don’t have access to school. The government should employ more teachers and give more learning materials to schools so as to lmake learning smooth and easier.

Curb corruption in Kenya- The government should implement new laws that will help combat corruption. All those engaging in corruption regardless of their positions should be punished accordingly.