- Stakeholders have called on the government to create job opportunities for the growing number of unemployed graduates in Kenya.
- Rev Joyce Munyiri has linked youth unemployment to rising mental health struggles and has warned against politicians exploiting jobless youths for political violence.
As higher learning institutions in Kenya continue to churn out graduates every year, millions of them are still struggling to find job opportunities amid an employment crisis in the country.
Reports indicate that universities and colleges in the country release close to one million graduates every year, but only a fraction of them are absorbed into the job market, particularly the formal sector.
Stakeholders, including youth groups and religious factions, have continued making rallying calls to the government to prioritise creating opportunities for young graduates to help them shape their career journeys and turn them into productive citizens who can contribute positively to the country’s economic growth.
Reverend Joyce Munyiri of Glory Outreach Assembly (GOA) Church pointed out that a huge number of graduates have sunk into depression after failing to secure internship slots as well as job opportunities after finishing their studies. This, she said, has forced many of them into indulging in antisocial vices, including drugs, alcoholism and petty crimes, adding that the majority of them are now exhibiting mental health issues.
“Parents have played their roles in educating their children, and the young ones have completed their studies, but employment opportunities are limited. This is why we are urging the government to roll out programmes and come up with policies that will facilitate the creation of opportunities for the young graduates,” Rev Munyiri said.
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She made the remarks at Thome Estate while celebrating the academic milestone of Munyiri Africa Foundation (MAF) Managing Director Mary Waithera, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Strathmore University.
“The issue of mental health among the youth is increasingly becoming a menace in society. It’s arising from economic and life frustrations that can be solved once their plight is addressed,” she noted.
Rev Munyiri also chided politicians who are taking advantage of jobless youths, turning them into political tools to advance their agendas. “Hiring these unemployed and vulnerable youths to perpetrate violence and advance certain political agendas destroys young lives and threatens national peace. Some parents are still mourning their sons and daughters who perished in politically instigated violence,” she said.
The cleric also challenged the government to deal decisively with corruption within state agencies, departments and parastatals, noting that graft dealings have denied thousands of deserving Kenyan youths job opportunities.
Bishop David Thagana, General Secretary of the Federation of Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK), called on young graduates to be more innovative to fit into the global job market. “Incorporating innovative ideas with the skills acquired in universities and colleges will give our youth a competitive edge in the job market. Jobs are drastically evolving due to technological disruptions, and our youth must remain abreast with the advancements to fit in,” Bishop Thagana said.
He also urged the youth to explore other opportunities in the digital economy, noting that businesses are increasingly being run through diverse digital platforms.
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MAF Managing Director Mary Waithera echoed similar sentiments, challenging her peers to be more innovative to stand out in their workplaces. She also noted that embracing innovation and entrepreneurship would enable young graduates to start their own enterprises and become job creators.
During the event, MAF, which supports the destitute as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), handed over a full sponsorship cheque to Jamleck Kamau, a Chuka University student who had deferred his studies due to financial hiccups, allowing him to resume his studies next semester.
By John Kamau
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