Abstract:
Unemployment among the youth in Kenya continues to be a source of constant worry to policymakers. In realization of this, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of Church leaders on employment creation for the youth in Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to determine the influence of Church’s servant leadership on employment creation for the youth in Kenya, to investigate the influence of Church’s visionary leadership on employment creation for the youth in Kenya, establish the influence of Church’s transformational leadership on employment creation for the youth in Kenya and to establish the influence of Church’s charismatic leadership on employment creation in Kenya. This study established the influence of Church leadership in employment creation for the youth in Kenya. The target population was an estimated 1520 youth who worshiped at ACK Diocese of Nairobi, Zimmerman Archdeaconry. The Archdeaconry had 6 parishes namely, St. Clement Githurai, St. Elizabeth Kahawa West, St. Andrews Zimmerman, St. Simon Kiamumbi, St. Matthews Membely and St. Augustine Kiwanja. The study adopted descriptive research design. Systematic sampling was used to select respondents from the target population. For the purpose of this study, a sample size of 456 respondents, representing 30% of the target population was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and descriptive statistical technique was used to analyze data. Inferences on the relationship between variables were drawn using correlation analysis technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between servant leadership, visionary leadership, transformative leadership and charismatic leadership respectively and employment creation for the youth in Kenya. Across
all leadership styles, the study established that Church leaders were dependable whom the youth viewed as role models worthy of emulating. On the other hand, in some constructs of visionary and charismatic leadership, the youth did not see their leaders as directly involved in helping them find suitable jobs. Institutionally, the youth found the Church as a place for gaining social capital and networks which would translate into employment opportunity. The study recommends that Church leadership be holistic in dealing with youth ministry issues including unemployment. Moving forward, future studies should include encompasses other denominations.
