The lack of jobs in the Kenyan employment market has pushed many graduates to odd jobs, irrespective of whether these jobs match their educational qualifications or not.
This is no different for Evance Abok, who holds a Master’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology, and who has been jobless for the last eight years after an unsuccessful job search.
Orphaned at the age of eight years, Abok worked hard at school, determined to change the life of his grandmother, who happened to be his only support.
His academic excellence began at Oriwo Boys High School, where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and emerged top in his school after scoring an A- (minus).
He joined Chuka University to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and graduated with first-class honors in 2016. His prospects for a brighter future bloomed when he successfully secured a scholarship to further his studies.
Abok won a Fulbright scholarship, a program funded by the United States Department of State, to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Sustainability at the prestigious New York Institute of Technology.
Kakamega School Alumnus to Join Harvard University After Winning Equity Group Scholarship
His star started to dim after graduating, as efforts to secure a job were futile little did he know he would spend eight years in the world of joblessness.
On August 10, Abok opened up about his miserable life of joblessness through a Facebook post. He narrated how joblessness and business failure threw him into a cycle of chronic depression.
“No meaningful professional engagement up to 8 years following my graduation from Chuka University (needless to say, as the best-graduating student on November 13, 2015); and more than five years after graduating with a Master’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology -scholarship,” he recalled.
“8 years and counting… my life is a cocktail of so many things. You see, life is oozing unfairness; In fact, the only distinctive feature of life is its unfairness.” He wrote.
His cry was heard by the former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) David Osiany, who secured him a job as a project manager at Taka ni Mali, a Kenyan Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
Esther Kimani: University of Eldoret graduate wins Sh25m for life-changing innovation
“Having seen the plight of Evance, and since I am currently privileged to serve on the board of one of the NGOs engaged in Waste Management, Sustainability, and Circularity in the country, I reached out to the founder and the management to ask if they had a slot to suit his skills.”
“Evance was then subjected to a robust interview with the Team Lead to assess his skills, competence, and attitude. And after the 2 hours assessment, I am delighted to inform you that Evance has walked away with an offer to be the Project Manager for a massive yet greatly interesting project with Taka Ni Mali.” Said Osiany.
He added that he learned that Abok was jobless despite being a smart student through a local WhatsApp group.
