Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged university graduates to start their own businesses because the government cannot provide enough work for everyone.

Gachagua urged graduates to be creative as the government continues to roll out job creation programs at the 40th Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the 9th Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (PAUSTI) joint graduation of 4,299 students in Kiambu County on Friday.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rigathi Gachagua

 "Ya jobs, Nasema mambo?" Oh, iko kibarua...I've already stated that I'm a trustworthy individual. I don't want to sit here and lie to you about having jobs. "We're going to make them with you," he explained.

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As he challenged higher institutions to analyze the impact of their programs better, DP Gachagua urged them to focus on market-oriented courses relevant to Kenyan financial requirements, citing the annual shrinkage of white-collar jobs.

He stated that the administration of President William Ruto was laying the groundwork for digital jobs.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rigathi Gachagua

"We are laying the groundwork; educational institutions must provide the necessary skills for young people to become truly global workers even from the comfort of their village." He added, "Technology is here to shrink the global office into our palms."

"We can only harness if we prepare students to solve problems for inclusive growth rather than just passing exams." 

The Deputy President encouraged graduates to start their businesses, saying there are numerous chances in entrepreneurship and that they should use the skills they learned in school to enhance their lives.

"Be focused and determined, and don't let anyone discourage you." Do not listen to sceptics, doomsayers, or jealous people. Set your sights on what you have and go for it. "There is a certain beauty in nurturing an idea and seeing it come to fruition," Gachagua remarked.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rigathi Gachagua

He praised the housing program, saying it would provide opportunities for various building specialists, just as the government is dedicated to addressing rising unemployment.

The DP stated that the government is also committing resources to implement the Competence-Based Curriculum for Self-Employability Skills to combat future unemployment.

He also stated that higher education institutions are critical to the nation's development through research, technology, knowledge generation, and transfer.