Kenya’s employment crisis is deepening as approximately 1.2 million learners transition from primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities into the labour market every year, against an estimated 100,000 jobs created annually.
Education stakeholders have raised concern over the growing mismatch between the number of young people entering the workforce and the limited employment opportunities available, calling for urgent interventions to expand the economy, promote entrepreneurship and equip learners with skills relevant to the changing labour market.
Speaking during Mount Kenya University’s 29th Graduation Ceremony in Thika, Jubilee Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer and chief guest, Dr Julius Kipng’etich, said the employment gap leaves more than one million young people without formal jobs every year.
Kipng’etich said the situation requires deliberate government policies aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating more employment opportunities and strengthening the country’s savings and investment culture.
“The country is facing a serious unemployment crisis, churning out 1.2 million graduates annually from primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, against about 100,000 jobs,” he said.
He challenged graduates to move beyond dependence on formal employment and embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and self-employment as alternative pathways to economic empowerment. According to Kipng’etich, the pressure on the labour market is already evident, with thousands of graduates taking years to secure employment after completing their studies.
He cited the teaching profession, noting that some trained teachers have waited between 10 and 15 years before securing employment, highlighting the intensity of competition for available jobs.
Entrepreneurship Seen as Alternative to Formal Employment
Kipng’etich urged young people to consider entrepreneurship as a critical component of their career development, noting that the growing number of job seekers cannot be absorbed by the formal employment sector alone.
He emphasized the importance of access to capital, particularly for young people seeking to establish and expand businesses.
“Entrepreneurship requires capital,” he said, calling for a stronger savings culture that can help individuals accumulate resources for investment and business development. The remarks come amid growing calls for education and training institutions to equip learners not only with academic qualifications but also with practical, entrepreneurial and digital competencies that can improve their ability to create and secure employment.
Education Inequality Remains a Concern
The Jubilee Holdings CEO also raised concerns over disparities in access to education, particularly in Northern Kenya. He noted that approximately 14 per cent of young people in the region had never joined secondary school, limiting their opportunities to acquire skills and participate fully in the economy.
Kipng’etich challenged Parliament to consider legislation guaranteeing children access to education for at least 18 years, arguing that increased investment in education would help reduce inequality and expand opportunities for young people across the country.
Universities Urged to Align Training with Labour Market Needs
Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, said universities must continuously review their academic programmes to ensure graduates acquire competencies that respond to the changing needs of employers and the wider economy.
He said MKU is strengthening its curriculum through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital skills and other emerging technologies to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven workplace. The university has also expanded its postgraduate programmes into emerging areas, including Mental Health, Psychiatric Studies and Health Records Management, in response to changing professional and societal needs.
Jaganyi said institutions of higher learning must remain responsive to changes in technology, industry and society if graduates are to remain competitive in an evolving labour market.
Innovation and Adaptability Key to Future Jobs
MKU Chancellor Prof. John Struthers urged graduates to embrace innovation, adaptability and resilience as they navigate an increasingly competitive and technology-driven world. He noted that rapid technological advancement and global connectivity are transforming the nature of work, requiring graduates to continuously update their knowledge and skills.
Struthers commended the university for expanding global partnerships and investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, 5G and the Internet of Things. The developments highlight the growing importance of digital and technical skills in preparing young people for future employment opportunities.
As Kenya continues to produce large numbers of school leavers and graduates each year, stakeholders say greater emphasis on skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and industry-linked training will be critical in narrowing the gap between education outcomes and available employment opportunities.