The Paradox of Growth Without Jobs: A Qualitative Analysis of Employment Policies and Unemployment Trends in Kenya

Abstract

This study examines the paradox of sustained economic growth alongside persistently high unemployment in Kenya, particularly among the youth. Despite notable GDP expansion driven largely by capital-intensive sectors such as infrastructure and services, job creation has not kept pace with the growing labor force. Existing literature attributes this disconnect to structural challenges including skills mismatch, limited labor market absorption, and the dominance of informal employment characterized by low-quality jobs. Policy interventions, notably the Kenya National Youth Development Policy (2019), have sought to address these issues through skills development and entrepreneurship promotion; however, concerns remain regarding their effectiveness due to weak implementation, limited access to finance, and institutional inefficiencies. Adopting a qualitative research design, this study employs archival and desk-based approaches to analyze key policy documents and relevant literature. By examining frameworks such as Vision 2030 alongside scholarly and institutional sources, the study critically evaluates how employment policies align with labor market realities. The findings aim to provide deeper insights into the structural and policy-related factors underpinning the "growth without jobs" phenomenon, ultimately informing more coherent and effective youth employment strategies in Kenya.