A university graduate with a master’s in pure mathematics has taken to the streets of Nairobi to beg for employment by holding up a placard in the Central Business District (CBD).
A resident who came across the graduate in CBD shared a recording of him on social media to help bring more attention to his plight.
In the video, the graduate introduces himself as Mang’eni, revealing that he pursued a bachelor’s degree in statistics before pursuing his master’s degree.
However, after finishing his master’s programme, he said that he made several job applications but had been unsuccessful in getting any.
Mang’eni did not reveal his age or the institutions where he studied.
“I have a master’s degree in pure mathematics, and I am looking for a job. If you can please help me. I have studied extensively but I am yet to get any job, he pleaded.
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Kenyans React to Graduate Begging for a Job
Mang’eni’s dire situation sparked conversations online about unemployment in Kenya and how institutions and organizations employ job seekers.
One user on X, Gathoni Njuguna noted that it was unfortunate that the graduate had been applying for jobs but getting rejected, yet organizations will scramble to offer him opportunities now that he has gotten media attention.
According to her, it only showed that papers could not speak for someone in Kenyan organizations because of unfairness during recruitment.
“Now many organizations will come and try to engage him like all odd cases. Does it mean that before we go to the streets our papers can’t speak for us?
“This person has been sending out applications and getting declined but now they scramble for him. Should we all take placards and get media attention to be hired?” she questioned.
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Another user Alvin, lamented that the government was focused on exporting labour and had ignored the creation of jobs locally, leading to such cases.
Caliph Kirui Lands Job at NGO
Mang’eni’s case came days after a Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) master graduate Caliph Kirui, who went viral after begging for job opportunities using a placard, revealed that he landed a job at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).
The organization celebrated Kirui for his hard work and resilience, adding that he had taken bold steps at an uncertain time.
At the NGO, Kirui works as an early career researcher in the company’s Chronic Diseases Management Unit (CDM), where he supports research in food environment policy action projects.
Also, he revealed that when he went viral, several people reached out to him to encourage him, to offer him job opportunities, and other times, he noted, he received negative feedback.
