There is a common belief that attaining higher education equips individuals with a broader perspective on the job market, industry trends, and employer expectations. This knowledge is often seen as a tool for crafting a strategic approach to job hunting, making graduates more appealing to potential employers.
However, this was not the case for Kelvin Makachia Osore. Despite graduating with first-class honors in 2018 from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Makachia now pushes a cart to make ends meet.
In an interview with The Standard, Makachia revealed the harsh reality he faced after graduation. He submitted over 200 job applications and personally visited countless companies in the Industrial Area, yet his efforts yielded no opportunities.
“The many months I have spent tarmacking and struggling have been utterly disappointing to my family and me, especially my mother, who now regrets taking a loan to fund my university education,” he lamented.
Rather than succumbing to despair, Makachia chose to adapt. Instead of waiting for opportunities that never came, he decided to make use of his resourcefulness to forge a new path.
“I knew someone who could lend me a cart, so I decided to start vending water and carrying luggage for clients, including stall owners in the Soweto area,” he shared.
Makachia’s new routine begins at 4 a.m. each day. He fetches water from school boreholes in Soweto and delivers it to residents at a fee of 20 shillings per jerrican. On a good day, he earns up to 900 shillings in profit—an income that, while modest, provides him with a sense of stability that months of job hunting could not.
Makachia’s story is a testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Although formal employment remains elusive, he has crafted his own path, transforming his challenges into opportunities. His journey inspires many, proving that even in the toughest circumstances, it is possible to rise above and thrive.
