The Use of Internet by The Youth for Economic Development Among Urban Slum Communities: A Case Study of Youth Working with The National Youth Service Cohort in Gatwekera Kibera Slums

Abstract

The study sought to examine the use of the Internet by the youth for economic development in Gatwekera community – Kibera slum. The objectives of the study were to determine the factors that facilitate/ impede the use of the Internet by the youth for economic gains, and to identify the kinds of information obtained and used from the Internet by the youth for economic development. The study sampled young people in the National Youth Service Gatwekera cohort between the ages of 18-35, who had resided in the community for at least a year and have used the Internet for the period of six months. This was a descriptive study; therefore, the research used quantitative and qualitative methods to meet the study objectives. The study revealed that, key factors such as availability of cheap Internet and free Wi-Fi connections, business and job opportunities for urban slum youth, technical knowledge on the use of the Internet for economic gains, facilitated the use of the Internet for economic development among the youth in Gatwekera. The main challenges impeding the use of Internet for economic development among others were poor supporting communication infrastructure , insecurity and the proliferation of illegal websites, high cost for Internet subscription and poverty due to lack of employment. The researcher made several recommendations that included government regularization of business websites, improved infrastructure, and Internet service providers to lower the cost for Internet data bundles and improve on their Internet network coverage within the community. In addition, the researcher recommends the establishment of training centers that will develop the entrepreneurship skills of the youth on how to effectively- use the Internet to generate income.