Why Graduates Are Desperately Taking to the Streets for Jobs

A collage of two graduates Kirui Cheruiyot (left) and Samuel Meeme (right) pleading for jobs on the streets
A collage of two graduates Kirui Cheruiyot (left) and Samuel Meeme (right) pleading for jobs on the streets
Photo

At the beginning of 2023, several graduates and Kenyans took to the streets with placards appealing for jobs.

Some successfully secured jobs in different agencies after wellwishers shared their plight online. An example was masters holder Kirui Cheruiyot, Samuel Meeme, and Priscilla Wambui, among others.

On the placard, the graduates list their qualifications and years of experience in hopes of landing their dream job.

These incidents paint a grim picture of the country's high unemployment rate and cost of living. Data from the World Bank (2022) indicates that the unemployment rate in Kenya grew from 2.8 per cent in 2016 to 5.7 per cent in 2020 and 2021.

Kirui Cheruiyot a graduate appealing for a job in the streets of Nairobi in January 2023
Kirui Cheruiyot a graduate appealing for a job in the streets of Nairobi in January 2023
Facebook

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Maurice Amutabi, on Saturday, February 25, a professor at the Technical University of Kenya, underlined several reasons why qualified graduates are adopting the tactic. 

According to the scholar, graduates have taken to the streets after the move proved to work for others, especially outside Kenya.

"In other countries, we see people taking to the street stating they will work for food, and it works, so Kenyans have followed the same," he explained.

Additionally, Amutabi noted that several companies shut down due to taxation and economic difficulties, leaving thousands of Kenyans jobless.

He pinpointed at least eight flower companies that shut down at the beginning of 2023.

Furthermore, the professor noted that with the move to the digital space, newspapers no longer offer job advertisements as before.

Some companies also advertise for jobs internally to cut costs, leaving out qualified individuals.

Education Shortcomings 

Higher learning institutions were accused of churning out more arts graduates than engineering ones. This consequently adds to the number of people competing for jobs.

Kenyans queue at a past job interview.
Kenyans queue at a past job interview.
File

Conclusively, Amutabi observed that, unlike before, when graduates would fly out for further studies, they would rather stick around and seek jobs before becoming irrelevant. 

"Countries like South Africa, Australia, and Canada where graduates used to work are also experiencing a saturation of workers thus reducing the need for more employees," he explained.

Part of the Kenya Kwanza administration's manifesto was creating more jobs for the youth and empowering them with skills to venture into entrepreneurship.