Government Raises Red Flag Over University Courses as Graduate Unemployment Persists
Universities across Kenya have been urged to urgently review and realign the courses they offer to ensure graduates leave campus with skills that match the demands of the labour market.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba issued the warning on Thursday, December 18, while speaking at Kaimosi Friends University in Vihiga County, cautioning that failure to overhaul university curricula would continue to leave thousands of graduates ill-equipped to address national and economic challenges.
According to the CS, some universities are rolling out academic programmes that have little or no relevance to the current job market, worsening graduate unemployment across the country.
“We have reached a stage where universities are rolling out programmes and issuing qualifications that have no demand in the industry or the market,” Ogamba said. “We must link our programmes to industry.”
Oversupply of Teachers Raises Alarm
Ogamba singled out teacher training programmes as a major concern, revealing that education courses account for nearly 40 per cent of all university enrolments, despite the country requiring far fewer teachers each year.
He disclosed that Kenya needs approximately 35,000 new teachers annually, yet universities admitted more than 100,000 teacher trainees in the last academic year alone.
“If we only employ 35,000 teachers, that leaves about 65,000 teachers every year who cannot be absorbed,” the CS explained. “We have already employed 100,000 teachers, yet many remain unemployed.”
The Cabinet Secretary warned that unless universities reduce over-concentration in certain courses, particularly education, the mismatch between graduate output and labour market needs would persist.
Call for Course Diversification
Ogamba urged both universities and prospective students to consider less congested fields of study, calling on institutions to diversify their academic programmes to achieve a more balanced workforce.
“We need to tweak our programmes to areas like agriculture, where we have shortages, so that we strike the right balance,” he added.
The CS emphasised that sectors such as agriculture, technology and specialised sciences present untapped opportunities for employment and economic growth if supported by relevant training.
University Leadership Changes
During the same event, Ogamba presided over the swearing-in of new members of the Kaimosi Friends University Council, with four officials officially taking office.
The newly appointed chairperson, Stanley Khainga, pledged to work closely with stakeholders to improve academic standards and ensure the institution produces graduates who are competitive in the job market.
Why Universities Continue to Produce Jobless Graduates
Kenyan universities continue to release thousands of graduates into an already strained job market each year, with many struggling to secure employment. Experts attribute this trend to a combination of systemic weaknesses, shifting economic needs and career choices made by students.
One key issue is the imbalance between graduate numbers and available jobs, with universities producing more degree holders than the economy can absorb. Competition for limited opportunities has intensified, particularly in traditional professions.
In addition, many institutions still place greater emphasis on theoretical instruction rather than practical, hands-on training, leaving graduates without the technical skills demanded by employers.
Weak institutional systems further compound the problem. While employers increasingly demand work experience, some students complete their studies without access to internships, industrial attachments or real-world exposure.
Limited collaboration between universities and industry has also been cited as a major gap, resulting in training that is often disconnected from workplace realities.
The Ministry of Education now argues that addressing graduate unemployment will require coordinated reforms, including modernising curricula, strengthening partnerships with industry, expanding internship opportunities and guiding students towards market-ready career paths.
Officials warn that unless such measures are implemented, universities risk continuing to flood the job market with graduates whose qualifications do not translate into employment opportunities.
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Government Raises Red Flag Over University Courses as Graduate Unemployment Persists