Daily Nation ­ Tuesday
Date: 07.02.2017
Page 16
Article size: 252 cm2
ColumnCM: 56.0
AVE: 120960.0
Controlling population growth
critical to poverty eradication
They are often referred to as the
leaders of tomorrow. Young people
present a window of opportunity
but also go through a number of
challenges. Poverty, inaccessibility
to health services, unemployment,
lack of education, drug abuse and
HIV are among the numerous
challenges affecting people in the
productive age of 15­49.
According to the International
Labour Organisation, the percent­
age of unemployed youth globally
represents two fifths of all unem­
ployed people. In general, young
people are two to three times more
likely than adults to be unem­
ployed.
The report further states that
PHOTO | AFP
Despite provision of free primary education, not all children will be accom­
modated if effective interventions are not undertaken.
and supplies for treatment of HIV
and other diseases.
about one in five people — over 1.2
billion people — are between the
age of 15 and 24 and the vast ma­
jority of this youthful population
lead to increased crime. There is
also fear that unless effective strat­
are in least developed countries.
Kenya's population is domi­
be increased malnutrition and due
nated by young people who de­
pend on those already working
including parents.
Close to half of all Kenyans (42
per cent) are below 15. Kenya's
population grew from about 5.4
million in 1948 to about 41 million
in 2012, with a projection of 94
million by 2050.
What does these shocking sta­
tistics reveal? Unless effective
Population explosion will also
egies are put in place, there will
to lack of efficient health services,
there is the risk of increased ma­
ternal morbidity and mortality.
In light of the challenges and
foreseen risks, how then will we
use the fishhook available to pull
the whale out of the pond. To
control population growth, several
strategies are needed. First we
must ensure our interventions
are evidence based. How? We
increased population will result
in increased poverty. Despite the
free primary education, not all
must involve the target audience
in providing inputs to interven­
tions. Young people's perceptions
regarding use of contraceptives
children will be accommodated.
must be taken into account in de­
Residential and agricultural land
will be scarce. We will lack drugs
signing health programmes.
interventions are undertaken,
We must address unmet needs
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