This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
On July 21, 2019, the story of Kevin Ochieng Obede, a 24-year-old graduate, sparked a massive outpouring of goodwill after it was highlighted by Citizen TV.
Kevin, who graduated with First Class honors in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi in 2017, had been struggling to make ends meet after completing his studies.
Despite his excellent academic performance, Kevin found himself homeless in the streets of Nairobi, washing cars for Ksh.50-100 to earn a living.
However, his fortunes changed after Citizen TV highlighted his story, and he was offered numerous job opportunities by top companies, including the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Centum, Naivas Supermarkets, Vivo Energy, Nairobi County Government, and the Kenya Forest Services.
Other companies that have offered Kevin a chance to utilize his academic skills include Jamii Bora Bank, the Kenya Red Cross, UAP Old Mutual, TripleOKLaw Advocates, Actuary Patrick Waweru, and Resolution Health East Africa Ltd.
Deloitte, a company that Kevin had previously sought a job with but was unsuccessful, has also offered him a spot.
Kevin intends to visit every company that has offered him an opportunity to express his gratitude.
His story highlights the plight of the unemployed youth who worked hard, scored A's, but their certificates have turned into just a piece of paper.
