Every year, tens of thousands of students graduate from Kenyan universities, armed with degrees, dreams, and the hope of securing meaningful employment. But in a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, the question lingers: Where do Kenyan university graduates actually get jobs?
This article explores the real-world destinations of Kenyan graduates—by industry, degree program, and institution—based on recent data, employer preferences, and emerging trends in the 2025 job market.
1. The Big Picture: Graduate Employment in Kenya
According to recent studies by CPS International and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the majority of employed graduates in Kenya fall into a few key sectors:
| Sector | Percentage of Employed Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business & Economics | 46.7% |
| Engineering & Technology | 11.1% |
| Medical & Health Sciences | 8.9% |
| ICT & Natural Sciences | 6.7% |
| Art & Design | 4.4% |
| Law, Humanities & Others | 2.2% |
This means that nearly half of all employed graduates are working in business-related fields, including finance, marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship2.
2. Top Industries Hiring Kenyan Graduates in 2025
a) Financial Services and Banking
Banks, insurance firms, and microfinance institutions remain top employers of graduates in:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Actuarial Science
- Business Administration
Top employers include: Equity Bank, KCB Group, Co-operative Bank, NCBA, Old Mutual, and CIC Insurance.
b) ICT and Tech Startups
With Kenya’s growing digital economy, graduates in:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Data Science
- Information Technology
are finding jobs in:
- Fintech startups (e.g., Tala, Branch, Flutterwave)
- Telcos (e.g., Safaricom, Airtel)
- Government digital transformation projects
- Freelance and remote work platforms
Note: Many tech graduates begin with internships or graduate trainee programs before securing full-time roles.
c) Healthcare and Medical Services
Graduates in:
- Nursing
- Clinical Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Laboratory Sciences
are absorbed into:
- County hospitals and dispensaries
- Private hospitals (e.g., Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital)
- NGOs (e.g., AMREF, MSF, Red Cross)
- Health tech startups and research labs
d) Education and Training
Education remains a stable employer, especially for:
- Bachelor of Education graduates
- Early childhood and special needs educators
- TVET instructors (especially in STEM and business)
Employers include: TSC, private schools, international schools, and online tutoring platforms.
e) Engineering and Construction
Engineering graduates (civil, electrical, mechanical, mechatronics) find work in:
- Infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, housing)
- Energy sector (KPLC, KenGen, geothermal projects)
- Manufacturing and industrial plants
- Consulting firms and government agencies
Note: Practical experience and licensing (e.g., EBK registration) are increasingly important.
f) Agriculture and Agribusiness
With Kenya’s renewed focus on food security and climate-smart agriculture, graduates in:
- Agronomy
- Agricultural Economics
- Animal Science
- Agribusiness Management
are employed by:
- County governments
- NGOs (e.g., One Acre Fund, SNV)
- Agri-tech startups
- Cooperatives and export firms
3. Where Do Graduates from Top Universities Get Jobs?
A 2024–2025 employability ranking by Kenyan Magazine and CPS International shows that certain universities consistently produce graduates who are more likely to be hired3:
| University | Employability Rate |
|---|---|
| University of Nairobi (UoN) | 85% |
| Strathmore University | 82% |
| JKUAT (Jomo Kenyatta University) | 80% |
| Kenyatta University | 78% |
| Moi University | 75% |
| USIU-Africa (United States International) | 73% |
| Egerton University | 70% |
Why these universities stand out:
- Strong industry linkages and alumni networks
- Career offices that support internships and job placement
- Emphasis on practical training and research
- Reputation among employers for producing “work-ready” graduates
4. Graduate Trainee Programs: A Key Entry Point
Many Kenyan graduates begin their careers through graduate trainee programs, which offer structured training, mentorship, and eventual absorption into full-time roles.
Examples of 2025 Graduate Programs:
- Deloitte Kenya – Audit, Tax, and Consulting
- Safaricom – Technology, Finance, HR
- KPMG – Advisory and Audit
- PwC Kenya – Graduate Associate Program
- Unilever Kenya – Future Leaders Program
- Equity Bank – Equity Leaders Program (ELP)
- RSM Kenya – Graduate Recruitment Programme
- Computech Ltd – Cloud and Platform Trainees
- Pawa IT Solutions – Finance and Accounting Trainees
- Build Afrique – Architecture and Marketing Internships
These programs are highly competitive and often require:
- A strong academic record
- Leadership or extracurricular involvement
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
5. What About Self-Employment and the Gig Economy?
Not all graduates enter formal employment. A growing number are:
- Freelancers (graphic design, writing, coding, tutoring)
- Entrepreneurs (small businesses, online shops, agribusiness)
- Content creators (YouTube, TikTok, blogging)
- Online workers (Upwork, Fiverr, transcription, virtual assistance)
Popular fields for self-employment:
- Digital marketing
- Fashion and design
- Photography and videography
- Event planning
- Mobile money and agency banking
Note: Many graduates combine part-time gigs with job hunting or further studies.
6. Challenges Facing Kenyan Graduates
Despite the opportunities, many graduates face:
- Underemployment: Working in jobs that don’t match their qualifications
- Delayed absorption: Waiting 6–24 months before securing a job
- Lack of experience: Employers want “fresh graduates with 2 years’ experience”
- Mismatch between training and market needs
- Limited soft skills: Communication, teamwork, and adaptability gaps
7. How to Improve Your Employability as a Graduate
- Intern early: Don’t wait until after graduation to gain experience
- Build a portfolio: Showcase your work (e.g., GitHub, Behance, blog)
- Network: Attend career fairs, alumni events, and LinkedIn meetups
- Upskill: Take short courses in digital skills, data analysis, project management
- Volunteer: Community service and campus leadership count
- Tailor your CV and cover letter: One size does not fit all
- Practice interviews: Confidence and clarity matter
Final Word
So, where do Kenyan university graduates actually get jobs? The answer is: everywhere—but not equally. Your course, university, skills, and hustle all play a role. While business, tech, and healthcare dominate the formal job market, opportunities also exist in entrepreneurship, the gig economy, and emerging sectors like climate tech and digital finance.
