Kenyan fashion entrepreneur Bolo Bespoke has sparked a fresh debate about education, employment and the pressure young people face after completing school.
Bolo challenged the popular belief that academic qualifications automatically guarantee financial success, arguing that some degree holders end up struggling because they consider certain jobs to be beneath their level of education.
“The poorest people in Africa are degree holders because many feel too educated for certain jobs and keep waiting for government employment,” Bolo said.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions, with some Kenyans agreeing that the pursuit of white-collar employment has caused many young people to overlook opportunities in skilled trades, business and other forms of self-employment.
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Bolo’s Journey Started Small
Bolo also used his personal experience to explain why he believes people should not be afraid of starting from the bottom.
“Mimi nilianza polepole kama fundi,” he said, pointing out how his journey has evolved over time.
According to Bolo, the same kind of work that he started doing when he was still building himself has now become a source of opportunity for others.
“Sahii mmejaa kwa inbox yangu mkiniomba kazi,” he added.
His experience highlights how practical skills can eventually become a business opportunity when someone is willing to learn, gain experience and remain consistent.
The Education Debate
Bolo’s comments have also revived a familiar conversation among Kenyans: the relationship between academic grades, career ambitions and actual employment.
Many young people grow up believing that performing well in school and eventually earning a degree will guarantee them a good job. However, the reality can be very different, particularly in an economy where thousands of graduates compete for a limited number of formal employment opportunities.
At the same time, some young people may overlook opportunities in areas such as tailoring, mechanics, construction, beauty, carpentry and other technical professions because of the perception that such jobs are meant for people without university qualifications.
Bolo’s argument is essentially that there should be no shame in starting small.
“Mtasema Ni Wivu”
The conversation has since taken a humorous turn online, with people challenging each other to reveal the grades they scored in Form Four and the careers they currently want to pursue.
“Mtasema ni wivu but 😂😂 Isn’t this the truth?” one reaction to the debate read.
Ultimately, Bolo’s remarks have opened up a broader discussion about whether young people should focus less on the title attached to a job and more on the opportunities available to them.
For many, the lesson from his story is that there is nothing wrong with beginning as a fundi, hustling from the ground up and gradually building something bigger.
