JKUAT Graduate Among Thousands Hoping To Fill 3000 Nairobi Cleaning Jobs: “Hatukuchagua Kazi”

• Thousands of Kenyans turned up at the Joe Kadenge Stadium for shortlisting as Nairobi county government announced 3000 cleaning job vacancies
• Seated in the stadium were people of various backgrounds, including graduates who've unsuccessfully looked for jobs in their areas of study
• Boblenny Mang'oi, a Geospatial Information Science graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), was also present for the exercise

Nairobi - Some analysts have argued that the unemployment situation in Kenya is a ticking time bomb.

The number of unemployed Kenyans has increased over the years, with the adoption of technology by most employers making the situation worse.

According to previous World Bank data, 5.7% of Kenya’s labour force was out of work in 2021, up from 2.8% when the former Jubilee administration took over in 2013.

Thousands turn up for cleaning jobs

On Friday, July 28, the Joe Kadenge Stadium in Nairobi was a beehive of activities as the young and old tried their luck securing a job with the Nairobi county government.

Drawn from various parts of the country and backgrounds, Kenyans filled the 15,000-seater stadium, hoping to be shortlisted for the 3000 jobs Governor Johson Sakaja's administration advertised in February.

The facility was a buzz as the county askaris endeavoured to maintain order among the thousands of job seekers.

If not on a weekday, one would be forgiven to think a Kenya Premier League match was waiting to be staged at the facility.

JKUAT graduate lines up for job

Boblenny Mang'oi, a Geospatial Information Science graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), is among Kenyans who tried their luck.

He explained that he had been walking from one office to the next in search of jobs since graduating in 2021 with no success.

Mang'oi said he was ready to do anything that would keep him busy and working, adding that everyone has a starting point.

"Nimetafuta kazi for a while. Ukienda hivi hupati kama vijana so we had an opportunity to come here today na hatukuchagua kazi. With all the qualifications that we have, we came to look for an opportunity. We expect that after today we'll get something to do. Considering what I've done in school, I think everything has a starting point where one starts from. I think this is my step," he said.

The young graduate's tale of determination is similar to numerous graduates, including those before him, who are yet to get meaningful employment.

Govt announces paid internship vacancies

On Tuesday, July 25, the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced vacant paid internship positions for unemployed Kenyans.

In an advert shared on local dailies, the PSC disclosed that they were recruiting 8000 interns for various positions in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Through the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP), the government said their main goal was to offer college graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build skills.