The University of Nairobi Chancellor, Patrick Verkooijen, has raised concerns over the rising unemployment rates among Kenyan graduates, noting that only one in four secures formal employment annually. Speaking at a State Banquet in honor of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at State House, Nairobi, Verkooijen highlighted the increasing competition in the job market and the scarcity of opportunities.
Kenya produces approximately one million graduates every year, yet a significant majority struggle to find employment. “Out of the one million graduates this country produces annually, only one in four secures formal employment. But what about the rest? Where do they go?” Verkooijen questioned.
Reflecting on the youth-led demonstrations in 2024, he emphasized the need to explore unexploited opportunities, particularly within the digital economy. He warned that if the current trend persists, the impact could be severe. “Some took to the streets, as we witnessed last year. Others managed to reach Europe. But if that trickle turns into a flood, no wall will be high enough to stop it.”
Verkooijen urged the government to harness the skills of the youth to address the unemployment crisis. He stressed the importance of leveraging Africa’s demographic dividend by creating sustainable job opportunities tailored to emerging sectors such as technology and innovation.
Additionally, he raised concerns over the alternative paths that graduates are forced to take to earn a living, particularly the growing trend of ghostwriting. “The unfortunate irony is that many students in Kenya are already working—not for themselves or their peers, but writing high-level academic papers for Ivy League students in the United States just to make ends meet,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, Verkooijen acknowledged the government’s efforts to address the crisis, citing initiatives such as the Big 5 agenda in universities. This program focuses on introducing specialized short courses, certificates, and master’s programs in critical fields like entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, leadership, and health research.
He called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and the government to bridge the employment gap, ensuring that graduates are equipped with relevant skills that match the evolving job market.
