Graduating with a degree or master’s degree often leads to great expectations of securing a well-paying job. In Kenya, as in many other nations, the stark contrast between these aspirations and the harsh reality on the ground is all too evident.
The job market is currently inundated with highly qualified graduates who are struggling to secure suitable employment opportunities. It has become increasingly common to hear stories of individuals with impressive educational backgrounds resorting to unconventional means of making a living, such as selling street food or working as motorcycle taxi drivers.
Julian Njagi is one such individual, a Kenyan who holds a master’s degree in accounting and finance. Despite his remarkable academic accomplishments, Julian found himself caught in the grip of unemployment, a predicament that is becoming increasingly pervasive in Kenya.
Frustrated and desperate, Julian made the difficult decision to join the Kenya Police Service, where he was offered the position of a constable, the lowest rank within the organization. Upon starting his new job, Julian was confronted with a disheartening reality: some of his former classmates, who had only achieved a grade ‘D’ in their secondary school exams, had advanced to higher ranks within the police force, serving as corporals and inspectors.
Julian’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the myriad challenges that many Kenyan graduates encounter, including a saturated job market, a mismatch between their skills and job requirements, economic instability, and the vital role of networking.
Despite the formidable obstacles he faced, Julian chose to embrace his role as a police officer, recognizing it as his means of earning a livelihood in a highly competitive job market.
The situation in Kenya and analogous countries underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. These potential remedies could encompass reforms in the education system to better align skills with market demands, targeted investments in sectors that generate employment opportunities, and initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and skill development.
