Take advantage of job opportunities in the widened EAC network – Official urges Kenyans

With the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the East African Community (EAC), Kenyans have been urged to maximize the massive job opportunities the expanded network has created.

With a population of around 108 million, the Central-African-based country offers an unmatched resource portfolio that the government believes has the capacity to spur the region’s social-economic development.

Congo prides itself on cobalt mining, gold, diamond, aluminum, copper and other precious minerals, numerous water bodies, vast farmland, rich biodiversity, and the world’s second-largest rain forest.
According to EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki, the entrance of Congo to the intergovernmental organization formed by seven-member states gives the region a combined population of 300 million people, a move that could further accelerate entrepreneurial activities thereby creating job opportunities.

Mathuki noted that Congo’s entrance into the region further opens new education opportunities that universities should take up to drive regional integration by providing learners opportunities to pursue their goals.

Speaking during the 22nd graduation of Mount Kenya University which saw 4,500 graduands conferred degrees, diplomas and certificates in various fields, the official emphasized the need for students to strive to compete with their regional peers and aspire to become job creators rather than job seekers.

“Students should also now focus on the global opportunities and not the local ones alone. They should take advantage of opportunities created by the EAC community to become job creators,” Mathuki said.

He further stressed the need for youngsters to embrace creativity and research, tools he said will help many get out of poverty.

On his part, MKU founder and board chairman Simon Gicharu cautioned jobless Kenyans against seeking uncertain jobs overseas to avert cases of harassment by their employers.

“Kenyans should avoid unnecessary challenges they face while seeking jobs overseas. We have greater opportunities locally that can make them prosper,” Gicharu said.

He instead urged the unemployed to embark on self-employment by taking up cheap loans provided by the government such as Hustler Fund to start income-generating activities that will go a long way in helping them better their livelihoods.

“We want our graduands to be job creators and we have enough avenues for them to take up loans such as the Hustler Fund which they can use to start income-generating activities,” Gicharu added.

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