Entrepreneur Peter Nduati's Eye-Opening Take on Kenya’s Job Market

In a candid interview on Ofweneke TV, Kenyan entrepreneur Peter Nduati shared his perspective on how employment opportunities have shifted over the decades. He described a time when, in his words,

“Jobs were in search of graduates, not vice versa.”

Early Career Opportunities

After completing his education, Nduati received a prestigious job offer from the Central Bank of Kenya, an opportunity many would consider a career milestone today.

He explained that his parents encouraged him to take a different route instead — running a meat business — reflecting both entrepreneurial instincts and family expectations that influenced his early choices.

He recounted:

The University of Nairobi was the only public university at the time.
Graduates generally faced few challenges securing employment.
He personally received three different job offer letters from companies.

Despite these options, Nduati said he preferred:

“to be out in the streets” and “explore,”

showing a personal drive to pursue business ventures rather than a conventional career immediately.

Shifts in Today’s Labour Market

Nduati’s experiences highlight a stark contrast with the current job market in Kenya:

Only about 25% of graduates secure formal employment shortly after graduation.
High competition and a limited number of available roles make job hunting more challenging.
Many young people turn to self-employment, informal work, or small businesses while waiting for suitable opportunities.

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Economists and educational commentators note that Kenya produces tens of thousands of graduates every year, but the formal sector cannot absorb them all quickly, creating a bottleneck for young job seekers.

Lessons from Nduati’s Journey

Nduati’s story reflects how opportunities have evolved:

Early graduates often had multiple offers and choices.
Today, many face prolonged searches and must adapt to informal or entrepreneurial work sooner.
His decision to pursue entrepreneurship early eventually led to significant business success.

“The job-search experience has transformed,” Nduati said, illustrating a gap between the abundance of opportunities in his generation and the reality facing young Kenyans today.