Degrees, dreams and desperation: When Kenyans trade careers for survival

In Kisii town, Ishmael Keraka once dreamed of repairing engines in a busy workshop. Now, he pushes a cart loaded with fruits, searching for customers on the streets. The once-trained mechanic faces the harsh reality of finding daily work to provide for his family. * "Sometimes you look at your hands and wonder whether all those years of training were worth it," Keraka reflects.

Across Kisii County, years of education and technical training are colliding with a challenging job market, pushing skilled workers into careers that don't align with their qualifications. In Ogembo, Bobasi, John Manyerere is another trained mechanic struggling to secure opportunities in his profession. Mary Moraa, a lab technology graduate, now plaits hair at a small salon. *"I went to school hoping that one day I would work in a laboratory,"* she says. *"Today, I plait hair to earn a living."*

In Keumbu, Nyaribari Chache, Gregory Ongori once dreamed of building a successful teaching career. After years of moving between schools, he found his earnings could not cover his expenses and switched to the matatu industry as a tout. *"I wanted to teach and help shape the lives of children,"* Ongori explains. *"But hunger, rent and other bills do not understand your dreams."*

These stories highlight the struggles of many Kenyans whose professional qualifications have not translated into meaningful employment. For John Ombuna, a journalism graduate, the experiences of people like Keraka, Moraa, and Ongori are a sobering reminder of the uncertainties faced by young graduates. *"Every student enters college believing their certificate will open doors,"* Ombuna says. *"But you look around and see qualified people struggling. Sometimes you wonder whether your own dreams will ever become reality."*

Thomas Kebuse, a trained clinician, has turned to the boda boda business as a side hustle while waiting to be absorbed into the public service. *"Pay in the small private hospitals rarely manages the bills,"* he says. *"That is why I do this as a side hustle."*

These narratives reveal the sacrifices families make to educate their children, often by selling assets or exhausting savings. While education remains a pathway to opportunity, a certificate alone does not guarantee employment, a decent salary, or financial independence. The transition to informal work can be challenging, as it often lacks social protection, employment benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

Addressing this issue requires significant attention to ensure that education leads to meaningful employment and financial stability.