If you ask university final year students where they would like to work when they complete their studies, you will be amazed by the kind answers you will get. 95% will consider working in blue chip companies in Kenya. Only 5% percent will consider starting their own businesses.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Industrialization in Kenya as provided by Assistant Minister during a recent interview in one of the National Television Stations, out 43 Million Kenyans, only 22 Millions are in a condition of working efficiently and out of those only 40% are employed either formally or informally. That leaves about 14 Million unemployed Kenyans. In addition only 300,000 jobs are created annually. This then leaves most of the graduates in Kenya with a dilemma of what to do after taking off that gown (graduating). Most people are anxious after their graduation day as they wonder what to do when they leave the education system. The fact is that more than 60,000 degree graduates come out of the universities in Kenya each year. In addition, more than 100,000 students graduate each year from colleges and tertiary institutions. Therefore the prevalent thoughts for most of the graduates are; that things will be okay out there, that there are many jobs for those.
It is also saddening to see graduates with technical degrees from technical universities like the Kenya Polytechnic University College, Kimathi University College of Technology, and Multimedia University College among other universities struggling to look for jobs in vain. Unfortunately there exist no technical degrees as they only exist theoretically. Practical is never considered important in these institutions. I am writing this through experience as I am also a graduate from one of these technical universities. Unless something is done to enlighten and empower these graduates to be creative and start their own ventures, then Kenya is heading in a very difficult period.
In fact, with the big competition in the job market, many are puzzled to compete favourably with those that have undergone quality education. I talk of quality education since today; a degree is no longer automatic qualification for getting the first job. Employers look further to graduates with in-depth knowledge and skills, leadership roles, extra-curricular activities, and probably from well-known universities.
This is time for changing mindset. Believe that, you are not too young to make a change in this Nation. There are too many opportunities in Kenya but people seem not to see them. So many ideas are in books both academic and non academic. Reading Inspirational books whether fiction or non-fiction is key in bringing change. However, Africans and Kenyans in particular are known to lack a reading culture. Our education system is that of “reading to pass examinations” not to acquire knowledge. That is why an English adage says “If you want to hide something from an African hide it in books.”
Just as you have been reading career articles, I read a book, unleashing the Tremendous Potentials within You, by an author I didn’t even know until then. Before that day, I had NEVER read any inspirational book or article since I had always seen those kinds of books as a waste of time. After reading this book, I was shocked to the marrow, crying internally because it dawned on me that I have wasted about many years of my life chasing shadows. I never knew there is something called potential and though people knew I have a lot within me, it NEVER occurred to me how to make use of those things. Some of other inspirational books that one can read include all Robert Kiyosaki Series like Rich Dad poor Dad, Napolean Hill books like Think and Grow Rich among many others.
By carrying out the exercise in the book, I was able to discover there was so much I can do. A new lease of life came upon me and instead of looking into the future with trepidation, it was now with hope. I realized there were so many opportunities but you need to think outside the box to see them. The problems we have around us are enough opportunities waiting to be tapped into. Instead of complaining about all the problems, let us look at how we can provide solutions to them. Forget the phrase ”tunataka Serikali.” I usually advice my fellow Kenyans, that the work of the government is not to directly create employment, but to create conducive environment and draft policies to support private investment.
The ‘IKO Toilets’ and Mobile Toilets in most towns is a good example of a simple idea making millions. That 10 bob is making somebody richer day by day. In fact this is a business with constant customers; I wonder if there are ‘dry days’ for them. This concept was borrowed from South Africa and implemented in Kenya. Having seen peoples’ need to relieve themselves around the town. They started small and have grown big. Probably they did the cleaning and cashier work all by themselves. With time the business grew and they had to employ others to assist them as they expanded to various places. At a point, they stopped going out with the boys, rented an office and started sending their employees out; as it is for every dreamer, there is a point when your dream turns to reality and something too huge for you to handle alone. Many people would have thought this entrepreneur was absurd if he could have presented the idea to them. I don’t know what you have been thinking up till this moment; all I want you to realize is that there is so much within and around you for you never to complain about unemployment.
A lot of guys are loafing around with nothing to do, don’t you think you can start your own firm from their own challenge. Those pure water bottles that are always nuisance on the streets are golden opportunities for someone to exploit. In some localities, water is a major challenge; don’t you think you have a great business at your disposal if you know of such places? Think hard enough and you will see so much to do. Other people’s challenges can be your own stepping stone. What you need is an idea and you will see so much to do. When you see an opportunity, take an advantage of it and you will be surprised where it will lead you to.
Many youths complain that they lack financial muscles to kick-start their business ventures, but whenever I get such an answer from them I tell them that money is just an excuse. Others keep on applying for jobs, one year down the line they find themselves stuck in their own woes, and they can’t even cater for their basic bills like food.
Enough of complaining about not having jobs to do, see yourself more as a job creator and employer of labour instead of having to spend years out of school still searching for that elusive job. Wake-up time to act is now. Take that step of faith.
Tech enthusiast and Techpreneur. 