Kevin Omondi Onyango is working as a casual laborer despite attaining a first-class honors degree in Economics from Maasai Mara University in December 2019.
His job entails sorting industrial rugs used in factories to wipe off excess oil on machines in the country. A job he said was physically draining, mentally stressful and socially isolating.
Kevin was a stellar student in school, who not only did well in his schoolwork, but also pursued Certified Public Accountants (CPA) certifications alongside his coursework.
Further, despite not attending physical CPA classes, he tutored himself and scored the highest attainable marks and even being ranked the best in the country in a 2019 paper.
“I never attended any CPA classes but despite this obstacle I took it upon myself to study and prepare for CPA exams independently. I not only passed but excelled in my examination.
“In the November 2019 CPA examination sitting, I was nationally ranked as the best candidate in the quantitative analysis paper. Similarly, in the November 2020 examination sitting, I achieved the highest ranking in the advanced Management Accounting paper,” he said.
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Kevin’s Education and Scholarships
Also, he indicated that he was able to pursue and complete his education because of the help he received from Kisii Governor Simba Arati and a bursary he received from Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita.
“I am grateful to my family for their unwavering support and guidance. I also extend my gratitude to honorable Simba Arati whose dedication to fostering learning through the Dagoretti North CDF bursaries.
“Honorable Mark Nyamita whose bursary I was fortunate to receive and to the entire USAID team, I extend my deepest gratitude to your commitment in making education accessible,” he said.
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After graduation, Kevin said that he received admission to various institutions to continue his education but because of financial constraints, he was not able to enroll in those institutions.
He then submitted several job applications, all which he said were futile.
“Hard work and merit have been replaced with godfathers. In spite of having worked hard and achieved academic success, it is disheartening to find ourselves struggling with feelings of hopelessness and being weighed down by societal expectations,” he said.
Appeal for a Job and the Nightmares of First-Class Honors
On the other hand, Kavin said that often he was ridiculed for his high academic achievements including his First-Class Honors, noting that many in the society had undermined his education.
“It is painful when we are bombarded with comments like ‘ona ako na first class na hana kazi mzuri. kama hauna connections hauwezi toboa. Siku hizi ni kujuana.’ Which translates to ‘he has a First-Class Honors but does not have a job, you have to have connections to do well these days,”
“These remarks not only undermine or effort but adds to the pressure we feel to succeed. it is demoralizing to be called first class sarcastically,” he said.
Kevin sent an emotional message to prospective employers seeking for a job. He said that he wanted to become a beacon of hope to others in situations such as his.
