Kenya’s universities churn out over 80,000 graduates annually, yet a growing number of degree holders remain jobless — or trapped in unrelated, low-paying gigs. From the streets of Nairobi to county towns like Eldoret and Kisumu, stories abound of graduates turned hawkers, Uber drivers, or online hustlers.
Why are thousands of young Kenyans who followed the traditional “study hard, get a degree, and get a job” path still locked out of formal employment? The answer, according to employers, experts, and jobseekers, lies in a trio of challenges: skills mismatch, course saturation, and TVET stigma.
The Reality Check: A Degree, But No Job
In a 2024 survey by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), only 28% of employers said they were satisfied with the skills of recent university graduates.
“We’re seeing applicants who hold papers but lack practical problem-solving, teamwork, or digital skills,” said an HR director at a major insurance firm in Nairobi.
Even in sectors like banking, law, and journalism — once considered prestigious — entry-level jobs are rare and competitive. Many companies now prioritize multi-skilled, adaptable employees, often picking diploma or certificate holders with hands-on experience over theory-rich graduates.
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Skills Mismatch: What Employers Want vs. What Students Learn
Employers consistently cite a disconnect between university curricula and real-world industry demands. While students emerge with academic knowledge, they often lack:
- Digital literacy tools (e.g., Excel, Canva, data analytics)
- Workplace etiquette and communication
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Hands-on industry exposure
Ironically, many students spend four years writing research papers but graduate without ever handling industry-standard tools or doing practical internships.
“Our universities are teaching for exams, not for impact,” notes Professor Muriithi, a curriculum development expert at the University of Nairobi.
Oversupply in Arts and Business Courses
For years, courses like Business Administration, Communication, Criminology, and Sociology have drawn high student enrolment — partly due to low entry requirements and perceived prestige. However, the job market is oversaturated with such graduates.
In 2023, the Commission for University Education (CUE) reported that over 60% of undergraduates were enrolled in arts and business disciplines, while fewer than 10% were pursuing science, technology, or vocational-based courses.
“There are too many graduates chasing too few opportunities. We can’t absorb everyone with a BCom or BA in Sociology,” admits a recruitment manager at a Nairobi-based logistics firm.
The TVET Alternative: Gaining Ground Slowly
While university degrees remain the gold standard in many Kenyan households, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are quietly producing graduates with better job prospects.
Plumbers, electricians, solar technicians, welders, and ICT specialists from institutions like Kabete Polytechnic or Kenya School of TVET are in growing demand — both locally and abroad.
The 2025 National Manpower Survey shows that TVET graduates have a 63% higher job placement rate within the first year compared to university degree holders.
Yet stigma remains. Many parents still see TVET as a fallback for KCSE “failures,” rather than a viable career path.
“If I told my parents I want to do plumbing after scoring a B, they’d think I’m mad,” says Brian Otieno, a 19-year-old student from Kisumu.
Employers Want More Than Just Degrees
In the digital age, employers are increasingly hiring based on skills, portfolios, and character traits — not just academic transcripts.
A representative from an international NGO noted:
“We hired a diploma holder who taught themselves video editing and data analysis on YouTube — and they outperformed two degree interns.”
Platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and even TikTok now reward talent and creativity over traditional qualifications. Some recruiters even review online content and digital presence before calling for interviews.
Time for Mindset Shift — For Universities and Graduates
It’s clear that the old formula of university = guaranteed job no longer holds. To reverse the trend of graduate unemployment, stakeholders must act:
- Universities must update curricula to include digital, entrepreneurial, and soft skills.
- Internships must be mandatory, structured, and closely linked with industries.
- Career guidance must be revamped to highlight viable non-degree career paths.
- Parents and students must challenge the degree obsession, and embrace diverse routes to success.
Degree or Skill — What Really Counts?
Kenya doesn’t have a job shortage — it has a skills mismatch problem. Graduates who can’t code, communicate, think critically, or adapt will struggle — even with impressive papers.
The new economy rewards those who can do, not just those who can explain. Whether through university, TVET, or self-taught skills, the future belongs to problem solvers, not just certificate holders.
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