In this first part of a series on unemployment, Millicent Mwololo revisits President William Ruto’s pledges to create more jobs and why desperate young Kenyans are asking tough questions
Early Monday morning, October 27, 2025 — a young man from Nakuru takes to X, pleading for help over rent arrears and what has become a hard life.
Within minutes, his post attracts thousands of views, with many young Kenyans — mostly diploma and degree holders — echoing his frustration over salary arears, joblessness, poor pay, and the high cost of living.
“There’s no joy in working anymore,” one user wrote. “Most of us report to work only to stress over bills.”
That same morning, Posta Kenya workers took to the streets over seven months of unpaid salaries. Still in October, more than 4,000 employees from Sony, Chemelil, Nzoia and Muhoroni sugar factories moved to court after being laid off following the leasing of mills to private investors. The wave of privatisation has left many Kenyans feeling like tenants in their own country.
About 782,300 new jobs were created last year, down from 848,100 new hires a year earlier, data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows.
Meanwhile, more than 300,000 new graduates join the labour market every year, worsening the crisis.
It pegs its strategy to address youth unemployment on three things: Kazi Majuu (Foreign jobs placement), Kazi Mtandaoni (Digital Economy jobs) and Kazi kwa Ground (Jobs on the ground, which includes ClimateWorx plan and on the affordable housing project, which State House says, at peak next year, will employ one million people).
“Our young people are driving our shift to a digital government. Nearly 2 million have been trained in digital skills, and 300,000 now earn a living online through Ajira, Jitume, and our expanding Business Process Outsourcing sector,” President William Ruto told Parliament in his State of the Nation address on November 20.
Opportunities and Transformation Agenda (NYOTA), where 20,000 unemployed young people through apprenticeships, Recognition of Prior Learning, entrepreneurship grants, digital skills training, and supported savings.
“When the NYOTA program is fully implemented, it will have placed 90,000 youth into work or enterprise, certified 20,000 into different skill areas, capitalised 110,000 businesses, matched savings of 190,000 savers, and built the capacity of 600,000 more to undertake government procurement under Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO),” said President Ruto.
But for this four young people that Nation interviewed, theirs is a persistent jobs crisis that they need fixed. Fast.
Roy Moyan Wafula, 26, Bungoma County
For nearly four years since completing his Diploma in Internet Communication Technology (ICT) from Bondo Technical Training College in 2021, Roy Moyan Wafula has been on a determined journey to establish himself in his chosen field. Though formal employment has remained elusive, the 26-year-old from Bungoma County has refused to sit back and wait for opportunities to find him.
Roy Moyan Wafula poses for a picture after the interview at Nation Center on October 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu| Nation Media Group
“I did my attachment with the Bungoma County Government under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in 2019,” Mr Wafula recalls. “Later, in August 2021, I took up a one-year internship with the same county as an ICT officer at Kimilili Sub-county. When the internship ended in August 2022, I began actively applying for jobs related to ICT — but so far, I haven’t landed one.”
Rather than lose hope, Mr Wafula has remained industrious. He has tried his hand at several income-generating activities to sustain himself and build resilience. “I’ve worked in the building and construction sector for about a year and a half, from time to time I have also run a small grocery business in Kakamega’s open-air markets.”
Today, Roy works with Foresight Innovations Limited in Nairobi as a cleaner. Yet his eyes remain firmly set on his dream career in ICT — particularly in networking and cybersecurity, fields he describes as his “true passion.”
“I have general skills in ICT, but networking and cybersecurity really fascinate me,” he shares. “I’m always looking out for opportunities online and through job platforms — and I believe that one day, the right door will open.”
Despite the challenges, Mr Wafula remains optimistic and encourages fellow youth to do the same.
“My advice is simple,” he says with a smile. “Don’t stop applying. Keep improving your skills, stay hopeful, and trust that God will make a way. Every experience — no matter how small — prepares you for where you’re meant to be.”
Even as he continues to push forward, Mr Wafula hopes to see greater honesty and action from leaders in addressing youth unemployment. “Let the government just be honest with us,” he says firmly. “If there are jobs for the youth, let them actively employ.”
Phanice Kerubo Nyakundi, 40
When Phanice Kerubo Nyakundi, 40, graduated from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) with a Bachelor of Technology in Food Science in 2015, she envisioned a bright future in her field. She soon landed a job at House of Manji, one of Kenya’s largest biscuit manufacturers. But four years later, when the company downsized, Ms Kerubo suddenly found herself jobless.
Phanice Kerubo Nyakundi, a Bachelor of Technology in Food Science graduate who is working as a nanny in Turkey - a job that she pays her far much better than her previous professional employment.
Photo credit: Pool
“I kept applying for jobs, but most offers didn’t match my qualifications or experience,” she recalls. “I had studied hard, hoping for a stable career, but reality was different.”
As a mother of three with bills to pay, she needed a fresh start. Encouraged by friends who had ventured abroad, she began exploring opportunities outside the country.
“At one point, I even considered Saudi Arabia for housework. My family helped me raise money for agency fees, and in 2022, I finally got connected to a job in Turkey.”
Leaving her family behind was not easy, but Ms Kerubo chose courage over fear.
She found friendly and welcoming people in Turkey where she works as a nanny in Istanbul — a job she describes as both dignified and fulfilling. “In Turkey, being a nanny is considered a high-class profession. It pays between USD 1,000 and 1,500, and employers provide food and accommodation. They trust you with their children, so they value you,” Ms Kerubo offers.
She has also been struck by the abundance of opportunities in the country. “In Istanbul, factories are always hiring. Sometimes employers call people from across the street to come work. The pay is good — many factory workers earn between Sh70, 000 and Sh90, 000, with meals and housing covered.”
Ms Kerubo says the Turkish government regularly reviews minimum wages and treats workers fairly. “It feels good to work in a place where your effort is appreciated,” she says with a smile.
Her experience has also opened her eyes to the value of structured labour agreements. Countries like the Philippines have formal contracts with Turkey, so their citizens are better paid and protected, Ms Kerubo notes.
“There are many Kenyan graduates — teachers, nurses, and degree holders — working here. Some employers are even willing to pay for airfare. My boss paid for my flight after our interview,” she says.
Phanice Kerubo Nyakundi and Roy Moyan Wafula talk about joblessness in Kenya.
Photo credit: Pool
For now, Ms Kerubo is content where she is, and taking pride in her work. “No one here has ever asked about my degree. I just hope that one day my school certificates will pay me — but right now, I’m keeping them safely in a file somewhere,” she says lightly. “They only ask if I can speak English and handle children well.”
Joseph Katiku Kioko, 25, Makueni County
When Joseph Katiku Kioko enrolled for a Diploma in Mass Communication at Kitui Technical Institute, he had a clear vision of his future — to become a storyteller who gives voice to everyday people through compelling human-interest stories.
After completing his two-and-a-half-year course, Mr Kioko began pursuing that dream with zeal, beginning with an internship at Wikwatyo FM, a local radio station in Kitui County.
“I later volunteered there for about six months, hoping the experience would open doors to formal employment. But unfortunately, it has been difficult to secure a job in journalism,” he explains.
Still, Mr Kioko has refused to give up. Determined to stay afloat while chasing his dream, he has taken on several casual jobs. “I’ve worked as a painter at construction sites and did casual welding jobs for almost a year,” he says. “Since 2022, I’ve been working as an office cleaner with Foresight Innovations Limited in Nairobi.”
The 25-year-old has turned every experience into a stepping stone. With disciplined saving, he plans to enroll for a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication in 2026 to enhance his qualifications.
“Sometimes I come across job openings but can’t meet all the requirements because I don’t yet have a degree. That’s why I’m saving — to be ready when the opportunity comes.”
Even without a formal position, Mr Kioko continues to nurture his craft. He writes articles and shares them with mainstream media — and his efforts have paid off. “Some of my stories have already been published by the Daily Nation,” he says proudly. “I now have a portfolio of about 300 articles in both Kiswahili and English.”
Despite the hurdles, Mr Kioko’s optimism remains unshaken. “I keep sending my CV to radio stations and media houses,” he says. “I know that one day, my chance will come.”
To his peers facing similar struggles, Mr Kioko encourages them to never stop applying for jobs.
At only 22, Veronicah Wambua is learning one of life’s most difficult lessons — that patience and persistence often stand between dreams and reality. A graduate of the Meru National Polytechnic, Wambua completed her Diploma in Human Resource Management with the optimism shared by many young Kenyans eager to join the job market.
After her final exams, she secured a three-month internship with a non-governmental organisation in Meru County — an opportunity she embraced with enthusiasm, seeing it as the first step into her professional career.
When the internship ended, Wambua sought to expand her experience through a voluntary placement with the Meru County Government. Her excitement, however, was short-lived. “I was only allowed to work for a week,” she recalls. “There were too many interns who had reported for duty, so I was asked to wait until there was space.”
That wait has since stretched into months. “It has felt like an eternity,” she says softly. “While in school, I relied on my parents for support, but now I really want to be independent.”
Unwilling to give up, Wambua has thrown herself fully into the job search. She regularly applies for HR-related positions through LinkedIn and other job portals, and personally drops her CV at organisations in Meru and Thika. “It can be discouraging sometimes,” she admits, “but I remind myself that giving up is not an option. Every application is a step closer to success.”
Her determination is grounded in faith and optimism. Wambua believes that with consistency, the right opportunity will come — one that allows her to put her skills to use and grow in her career. “I’ve learned to trust the process,” she says. “Even when things don’t seem to work out, I know that God’s timing is perfect.”
To her peers who are also struggling to find jobs after graduation, she offers simple but heartfelt advice: “Keep applying, keep learning, and stay hopeful. It might take longer than expected, but your moment will come.”
TOMORROW: The informal economy, Kenya’s real employer
