As Kenya’s economy struggles to create new jobs for thousands of jobless youths, fresh graduates have been challenged to pursue self-employment and endeavour to positively contribute to social-economic growth of the country.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene although millions of job-hunting graduates feel betrayed by the government’s inability to create enough jobs,they have a duty to turn the tide around by venturing into self-employment.

Speaking during the university’s 8th graduation ceremony that saw 2,566 graduands conferred with degrees and awarded diplomas and certificates, Munene noted that the graduates have been prepared and adequately equipped for self-employment. Currently, Kenya’s unemployment rate stands at 10 per cent, totalling to over 4.5 million Kenyans.

To address the challenge, President William Ruto’s government has been undertaking deliberate programmes and policies to create job and income opportunities for the young people.

Among the initiatives being undertaken by the government include the Affordable Housing Programme, digital jobs, labour migration, and industrialisation through county aggregation and industrial parks and special economic zones.

Director for Corporate Affairs and Marketing John Mwai echoed the sentiments, stating that the university’s leadership in innovation and research has helped the institution overcome economic hurdles