Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho has encouraged Umma University graduates to use the skills they have acquired and be job creators, given the high rate of unemployment in the country.
“We believe that the graduates are fully baked for the job market, and we hope they are endowed with the skills to be job creators and not job seekers, owing to the fact that Kenya is among the countries with a high rate of unemployment,” said Moshisho.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency during the sixth graduation ceremony, Moshisho added that both the county and national governments might not be able to absorb all the graduates.
“Already, we have a lot of graduates outside who are looking for jobs, but there are no available jobs even in the county government. The wage bill is too high, and that is why we have always encouraged our young people to take up technical courses to be able to create jobs for themselves,” he added.
The deputy governor further urged higher learning institutions to align the courses they offer with emerging opportunities in the job market.
“As Kajiado County government, we will introduce an improved education system that meets the needs of the people, and we are willing to work with institutions of higher learning to expose them to globally competitive systems by offering scholarship programmes,” he said.
On his part, Umma University Chancellor Dr. Abbas Gullet encouraged the graduates not to give up if they fail the first time or the second time. They should remember there is always room for improvement upon conferment of their awards, as the university would continue following their progress in life. At least 1,000 students graduated from Umma University on Tuesday.
The University’s graduation ceremony was graced by Amb. Dr. Amina Mohamed as the chief guest, Kajiado Deputy Governor as the governor’s representative, and Dr. Frank Ndakana as the Education Cabinet Secretary Representative.
By Kiiru Mwaniki and Seline Nyangere
