Unemployment has been a recurring issue in Kenya, a recent World Bank data showed that 5.7 percent of Kenya’s labour force was out of work in 2021.
This doubled up from 2.8 percent in 2013. Even though the Kenyan economy grew by an average of 5.0 percent, the growth came from capital-intensive infrastructure projects which did not favour the average citizen.
Kenneth Kibichi is among Kenyan youth grappling with unemployment having graduated with a First Class Honors in Actuarial Science.
He tarmacked for over five years but he has not been fortunate to secure a job forcing him to turn to the boda boda business.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Kibichi is unfortunate to have lost his parents just after completing his Kenya Certificate of Primary School Education (KCPE).
His dad succumbed to a stroke in 2009 shortly before his mother died just when he had enrolled at Kemeloi Boys High School.
He completed his secondary school education and scored an A minus, securing himself a slot at Karatina University.
While at the university, he also faced challenges which, at some point, forced him to do side hustles in order to afford food and paying rent.
In 2017, the 30-year-old graduated from the university with high expectations of securing a plum job in the formal sector.
“I wished to secure a job to help my siblings hut unfortunately, I have been making several applications in vain,” Kibichi told Bizna.
He mentioned KenGen, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Defence Forces and the National Intelligence Service as forms that he has tried to apply for a job.
He only got an opportunity to join Cohort 1 of Public Service Commission PSIP Internship in 2019.
Kibichi also worked with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the August 9 General Elections.
As he continues to engage in minial jobs to make ends meet, Kibichi hopes to secure a job in future and pursue a master’s degree.
