This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On July 29, 2019, Prof. Magoha, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, expressed frustration over the lack of plumbers in Kenya, attributing it to an inappropriate education system and low esteem for plumbers.
However, Kwame Owino, CEO of the Institute of Economic Affairs, disagrees with Prof. Magoha's conclusion, pointing out that only 9.8% of Kenyan households have piped water, making plumbers' services scarce in many areas.
Owino argues that the limited demand for plumbers is not a reflection of the education system's effectiveness but rather a result of the low number of households with indoor plumbing.
He also notes that the wages of plumbers are not significantly higher than those of other professions, suggesting that plumbing is not a high-paying job.
According to Owino, the market does not pay a premium for plumbing skills, and the nudge towards training more plumbers will not be a successful policy.
He references Adam Smith's explanation for the creation and distribution of employment, stating that the division of labor is determined by the extent of the market.
Owino concludes that Kenya's limited demand for plumbers is a result of the low number of households with piped water, and that addressing this issue is crucial for creating employment opportunities in the plumbing sector.
