The Power of Standing Out: Empowering Kenyan Youth Through Creativity and Skills Development

In Kenya today, the reality of unemployment is hitting the youth harder than ever before. Every year, thousands of graduates flood the job market armed with degrees and certificates, yet only a handful secure formal employment. The dream of white-collar jobs, once considered the ultimate goal, is quickly fading into frustration and despair. This has left many wondering — is having academic papers enough? The answer is clear: No. In a rapidly changing world, skills, creativity, and the ability to stand out have become the new currency of success.

The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) introduced in Kenya sought to address this gap by focusing more on practical skills, talents, and creativity rather than just theory. Unlike the 8-4-4 system, where students were conditioned to cram for exams and chase office jobs, CBC aims to nurture hands-on abilities, entrepreneurial thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, its successful implementation remains a challenge due to inadequate resources, untrained teachers, and societal mindsets still stuck on glorifying academic papers over practical abilities.

In this tough economic climate, standing out is no longer optional — it is a survival tactic. Kenyan youth must embrace creativity and innovation to carve their own paths. Employers are no longer just looking for papers; they want people who can think critically, solve problems, and add value. In fact, the future belongs to those who are willing to go the extra mile, learn extra skills, and think outside the box.

How can youth stand out?

1. Learn Practical Skills: Beyond your degree, what else can you do? Can you edit videos, code, bake, farm, or design graphics? Skills open doors that papers alone cannot. The internet has countless free courses — from digital marketing to online writing — that can equip youth with marketable abilities.

2. Embrace Creativity: Creativity is your competitive advantage. Whether it’s turning simple ideas into thriving businesses, creating unique products, or offering innovative services, creative thinkers always find a way. Creativity allows you to see opportunities where others see obstacles.

3. Personal Branding: In a crowded marketplace, your personal brand matters. How you present yourself online and offline can determine the opportunities you attract. Document your skills, share your journey, and show the world what you can do differently.

4. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Employment is scarce, but problems are everywhere — and every problem is a business opportunity. From agribusiness to tech solutions, fashion, and content creation, youth must think like problem-solvers. Being self-employed is no longer a fallback plan — it’s a powerful way to create employment for yourself and others

5. Go the Extra Mile: In everything you do, strive to be exceptional. Master your craft, improve your work ethic, and exceed expectations. The extra mile is often a lonely road, but it’s where the greatest rewards lie.

6. Continuous Learning: The world is changing fast, and standing out requires staying updated. Trends in technology, business, and even consumer behavior shift rapidly. Be curious, attend workshops, read widely, and keep learning.

In today’s Kenya, standing out through skills, creativity, and a proactive mindset is no longer just an advantage — it’s a necessity. Papers might get you to the door, but what you can do, how well you do it, and how uniquely you present it is what will keep you in the room. The youth must shift focus from waiting for opportunities to creating them, from chasing white-collar jobs to building businesses, and from blending in to standing out.

The future belongs to those bold enough to craft their own path. Go the extra mile, and the world will notice.

Brian kweyu is a communication expert ,Writer Editor and political journalist