In Kenya, as in many parts of the world, education is often viewed as a pathway to success and a better future. Young students invest their time, energy, and hopes in pursuing higher education with dreams of securing a well-paying job and building a prosperous life.
However, for many graduates like Evans Kibet, the reality is starkly different, as they face the harsh challenges of unemployment and dreams deferred.
A Quest for Knowledge and Dreams of Success
Evans Kibet’s journey in pursuit of knowledge began with fervor and faith in the transformative power of education.
From primary school through high school and eventually to a university campus, he demonstrated unwavering determination and a thirst for learning that seemed unquenchable.
His goal was clear: to attain academic qualifications that would position him for a successful career as a graduate teacher or even a university professor.
The Promising Path to Graduation
For a significant portion of his educational journey, everything appeared to be falling into place for Kibet.
He diligently accumulated the necessary academic qualifications, skills, and experience, setting the stage for what seemed to be a promising career in academia.
After completing his undergraduate program with a second-class upper division Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree from Kenyatta University in 2013, Kibet’s dream of becoming a university professor began to take shape.
He chose to embark on postgraduate studies just a year after graduation, nurturing the belief that attaining his master’s degree before seeking employment would position him for greater success.
The Cruel Reality of Unemployment
During his postgraduate studies, Kibet’s journey seemed to align with his aspirations. The university recognized his potential and engaged him, along with other students, in roles where they supervised and evaluated fellow students in various academic capacities.
It was a promising glimpse into a future where he could thrive in academia.
However, Kibet’s dreams were abruptly interrupted by unforeseen challenges. Changes implemented by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, including a reduction in capitation fees, unintentionally left Kibet and many others jobless.
This sudden turn of events cast them into a sea of uncertainty, where job opportunities became elusive and their academic qualifications felt like burdens rather than assets.
Desperation and Selling Academic Certificates
Facing the harsh reality of prolonged unemployment and dashed aspirations, Kibet contemplated a drastic step. He contemplated selling his academic certificates, including his ID card, transcripts, and certificates, to the highest bidder.
This desperate decision was born out of desperation and highlighted the depths of despair he had reached in his quest for a better future.
“I am selling my ID card, certificates, and transcripts. I am not flaunting my modest achievements but searching for a serious buyer,” he bravely declared.
These valuable documents were listed for sale with an asking price of Sh5 million or to be awarded to the highest bidder, laying bare his struggles for all to witness.
The Struggles of Many Graduates
Evans Kibet’s story is emblematic of the challenges that many well-educated individuals face in Kenya and beyond. Despite their impressive academic achievements and unwavering determination, they find themselves trapped in a cycle of unemployment, forced to downplay their qualifications during interviews to secure even the most modest opportunities.
