More than 3,000 jobseekers have reportedly turned up at a newly opened clothing shop in Kericho town in search of employment, highlighting the growing pressure on the job market as graduates and professionals struggle to secure work.
The jobseekers turned up at Wajosee Clothing shop, where the recruitment opportunity attracted young people with different educational backgrounds, including lawyers and graduates from various professions.
The large turnout saw crowds gather outside the premises, with some applicants arriving as early as 5 am in the hope of securing a chance at employment.
The incident has sparked renewed concern over unemployment, with residents calling on the government and leaders to create more opportunities for young people.
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Joy Chebet, a Kericho resident, said the crowd included young people, older people and women who had even brought their children as they searched for work.
“Ee watu wamekuwa wengi hapa, wamama wako na watoto, wazee wamekuja hapa wanatafuta kazi, hakuna mtu amewakomunicate,” she said.
Chebet added that the turnout reflected the difficulties facing young Kenyans who are often criticised for their conduct despite the economic challenges they face.
“Kila mtu kila mtu anataka kazi, wenye tumekuja hapa tunataka kazi,” she said.
Graduates raise concerns over unemployment
Newton Langat, another resident, questioned the value of pursuing education when qualified people continue to struggle to find employment.
He urged the government to establish more job opportunities to absorb jobseekers who have completed their studies but remain unemployed.
“Sisi tu ni watu wenye tulisoma na masomo yetu tena huwa tunaadivisiwa ya kwamba pale tuweze kusoma, na tukisoma tena tunakuja kusanyana kama hapa mahali hapa, hatupati kazi, sasa tunashindwa,” Langat said.
He appealed for more employment opportunities, saying many of those who had gathered were desperate to find work.
Faith Nyambura said she woke up at 4 am and arrived at the recruitment venue at 5 am, only to find a long queue of applicants.
She expressed frustration over the long wait, saying those who arrived early were still uncertain whether they would be considered for the available positions.
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“Nimekuja hapa 5:00, niliamka 4:00 nijitayarishe nikakuja hapa 5:00. Kwa wajose kukuja nimepata laini ndefu. Nimekaa kuanzia 5:00 hadi saa hii nimesimama hapa nikiomba hata basi sisi wenye tulifika wa kwanza tuweze kupata nafasi. Lakini ni uchungu!” she said.
Leaders urged to address joblessness
Leonard Langat called on elected leaders to prioritise job creation and assess the number of unemployed young people in their areas.
He said leaders should work towards creating opportunities that would enable young people to earn a living instead of leaving them to compete for limited vacancies.
The turnout at the Kericho clothing shop illustrates the intense competition for available jobs, with people from different educational and professional backgrounds seeking opportunities in the retail sector.
However, the exact number of available positions at Wajosee and the shop management’s recruitment criteria were not provided in the report.
