This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On a Sunday evening in July 2019, a television report highlighted the story of Kelvin Ochieng, a University of Nairobi graduate with a first-class degree in actuarial science. Despite his excellent academic record, Ochieng struggled to secure a job, eventually resorting to washing cars in the city centre to make ends meet.
His story sparked an outpouring of sympathy and offers of employment opportunities, but it also raised larger policy issues that require attention. A letter circulating on social media, allegedly written by a corporate chief executive officer, advised graduates not to expect automatic job positions based on excellent grades alone.
While education is a path to prosperity, the country's unemployment rate, especially among the youth, is at crisis levels. Parents invest significant sums in their children's education, only to see them struggle to secure employment. This calls for a review of the country's university education curriculum and employment policies to provide a more holistic and sustainable solution.
Aligning the education system with market needs is crucial. Creating linkages between industry and the academy will ensure that what is taught at universities considers practical developments within industry, making it possible to train graduates for the market.
Early exposure to industry as part of the training process can help graduates understand the workings of industry and establish valuable networks. Internships can also provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience and reduce the number of graduates who resort to jobs that undermine their education.
Despite various policy ideas and initiatives, the crisis of youth unemployment persists. Structural and far-reaching policy measures are needed to address the root causes of the problem, rather than just treating its symptoms.
