Former radio presenter and online content creator Andrew Kibe has delivered a sharp warning to university students during an interview on The Couch Connect podcast.
Speaking during the episode, Kibe advised young people to abandon higher education altogether. He argued that tertiary institutions no longer provide a realistic pathway to secure employment.
"Get out of university it's a waste of time, it has been overtaken by time," Kibe stated during the recording.
He added that traditional academic degree programmes have lost their value in the modern job market.
"University used to be good when there were jobs but there are no jobs," Kibe said.
Kibe highlighted severe competition across established industries, arguing that older workers are not leaving their positions. He stressed that previous generations continue to hold onto jobs for decades, leaving few openings for newcomers.
"Your fathers and your grandfathers are not quitting their jobs anytime soon," Kibe observed.
To illustrate his point, Kibe cited popular Kenyan broadcaster Maina Kageni as a key example.
"Maina Kageni has been on radio for over 20 years," Kibe pointed out.
He questioned how thousands of young people expect to secure employment when single positions remain occupied for decades.
During the podcast discussion, statistics were highlighted regarding the scale of tertiary education in Kenya. Single institutions hold over 50,000 enrolled students, while an estimated 100,000 graduates enter the job market nationwide each year.
The Threat of Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Kibe further warned that rapid developments in artificial intelligence are making traditional white-collar professions obsolete. He argued that automated systems are rapidly replacing human workers in technical fields.
"At the beginning of 2024, we thought coding was the next thing to do. I even tried to introduce my son to code. AI took out coding in seconds," Kibe claimed.
He questioned the logic of spending years studying subjects like software engineering or design.
"Now being a coder means nothing," Kibe said.
He challenged students studying fields such as accountancy, general science, and medicine. He pointed to advanced medical robots already performing surgical procedures, predicting that human supervision will soon become unnecessary.
Alternative Routes to Generating Income
When asked by the podcast host what young people ought to do after leaving university, Kibe offered a direct response.
"Find a way to make money," Kibe advised.
Kibe concluded that remaining in formal university education leaves young people unprepared for modern financial realities.
