A staggering number of job seekers gathered at the Joe Kadenge stadium along Jogoo Road in Nairobi. Their collective hope rested on securing one of the meager 3000 cleaning jobs advertised by the Nairobi county government back in February.
Nairobi residents in Eastleigh 1st Avenue during a cleaning exercise job in the region. Photo: Nairobi County/Twitter.
Among the hopeful individuals was Bob Lenny Mang’oi, a recent graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Despite holding a Bachelor’s degree in Geospatial Information Science since 2021, he still struggles to find employment.
“Sijapata kazi for a while now kama vijana… tumepata opportunity leo with all the qualifications that we have.”
Bob Lenny Mang’oi
Speaking to Citizen TV, Bob Lenny conveyed his willingness to accept any type of job that comes his way.
“Considering what I have done in school, I think everything has a step, and this is it for me.”
Bob Lenny Mang’oi
The county cleaning opportunity attracted not only fresh graduates but also more mature Kenyan job seekers. Everlyn Lumendwa, a 51-year-old, shared her story as well.
Everlyn had been actively employed 25 years ago but was retrenched. Since then, she has remained persistent in her search for employment.
“For more than two decades, I have been knocking on doors at various offices looking for employment in vain. Nimekosa kazi tangu miaka hizo zote.”
Everlyn Lumendwa
Despite the overwhelming competition, Everlyn held on to hope, having been shortlisted for the cleaning job opportunity.
“Despite miaka niko nazo kunao wengi ambao waliniambia sitapata lakini nimeitwa, na saa kumi na mbili kamili nilikuwa hapa… Imani yangu ndio itanipatia kazi.”
Everlyn Lumendwa
In February, the county government of Nairobi advertised cleaning jobs. This was done in accordance with a program by County Governor Johnson Sakaja, to beautify the city.
Ibrahim Otieno, Nairobi County’s Chief Environment Officer, saw this as an opportunity for the youth to secure employment. In addition to contributing to the city’s cleanliness.
The scenes witnessed at the Joe Kadenge stadium on Friday reflect the somber reality of the unemployment crisis in Kenya. Thus emphasizing the desperate circumstances Kenyans face daily in their search for livelihoods.
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