Kenya: That skill in mitumba trade might land you a dream job

Read the stories of two job seekers who pursued opportunities in other sectors but have found their way into employment in areas they are passionate about

GEORGE WAMBUA -Mitumba seller turned banker

I graduated from Catholic University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance. Since then, I have looked desperately for a job in big corporates in vain. I have sent more than 50 applications in hard copy and numerous others online.

There was a time I ended up with two interviews from conmen who nearly fleeced me Sh3,000 in the name of processing fee. I was so much disappointed that no one could notice my hard-earned effort to an extent that I quit applying for jobs completely.  I then embarked on a home study programme, which involved doing some computer programming lessons. Sadly, this got me nowhere since my machine crashed leaving me hopeless. Early this year, I visited a friend, a Form Four leaver, who encouraged me to join his business in which he was selling secondhand clothes commonly known as mitumba.

Market trends

I got in the business and was surprised to learn that I could make enough money to support myself. Life for me changed drastically. I found myself learning how to relate with people, how to make a sale and how to study market trends.

Believe me; this experience can push one to a level where even those people who work for big corporates in marketing departments have never been before.

As I did this, I reawakened my hopes of getting a job. I sent a couple of application letters and Family Bank granted me an interview and later a job. The reason why I passed the interview was that they valued my experience in dealing with clients and making sales. My familiarity with Gikomba market environment was an added advantage.

I was later posted to their branch in Gikomba area where I work to date. I have employed a person to run my business. I have maintained a strong relationship with my friend, who introduced me to the business. I will never look back.

Betty Mutethya -Sells liquid soap

I am a Diploma in Pharmacy graduate aged 24. I graduated in December 2011 before enrolling for a degree programme.

I am currently a final year student studying Library and Information Science with a major in Records and Archival Management.  My story is quite different. I have gone to many interviews in vain. But it’s painful that I have missed jobs because some people in organisations I went demanded for sex and in one case, a bribe of Sh200,000.

I don’t understand why such should be happening when I am qualified and even passed the interview.  I had to quit my last job after rejecting my boss’s sexual advances. All I wanted was to have a sincere employer because I am competent in my work. 

I am very hard working and do everything to the best of my ability. I have never been idle ever since I graduated. Sometimes I do voluntary work or sell liquid soap for survival. I have refused to indulge in any immorality to eke a living because I respect my parents and myself.

Right now, I am attending evening classes and hope to complete my degree soon. I believe education will open doors for me.

Liz Ngolo - Mitumba seller

I have been following your Jobless Kenya series and I must say that this country is rich in human resource. I graduated from the University of Nairobi in 2009. I had a Second Class Upper Division in Sociology and Political Science. I have been looking for a job since then in vain.

After searching for a job unsuccessfully. My aunt and my mother encouraged me to start a business. I started breeding dogs and after selling them, I decided to start a mitumba business. I am still doing that to date as I keep applying for jobs. Am hopeful that with county governments, I will land myself a job.

Paul Mitei - Potato farmer

Thank you The Standard for giving unemployed graduates a platform to air their experiences. My name is Paul Mitei, a Bachelor of Arts graduate in Sociology and History from Egerton University. I graduated in mid 1990s and up to now, I have not been lucky with jobs. 

In early 2000, I went to work as a salesman in a milk-processing company hoping to rise up the ranks. However, hardly had I rose to supervisor for sales than the company went under.  I was back to ‘tarmacking’ and writing application letters. I have worked as a driver for a construction company and Deputy Presiding officer with the defunct electoral commission. I have also worked with a UN agency in Mau region as a field coordinator. That job lasted for only three months. My problem is that I have not worked for a company for more than a year. All I get are short-term contracts.

REUBEN MULI - Police officer

When I graduated with Bachelor of Arts from Kenyatta University in 1997, my dream was to be a human resources management expert. However, I started facing challenges.

First, my degree had absolutely no bearing or orientation with human resources, second, I didn’t have income to pursue professional training in the field.

I decided not to ‘wait for the lift but take the stairs’. So in 1998, the police force announced they would be visiting our district to recruit constables. I promptly presented myself for consideration and succeeded.

I never lost my initial focus and in 2011, I graduated with a Masters of Business Administration in Human Resources Management. I have now enrolled for a PhD in the same field at Maseno University. The police service offers accelerated promotion to its university graduates and, therefore, exposes them to managerial experience earlier than most institutions.

It’s not unusual to find a university graduate in the police service with ten years of service, eight of them in managerial and supervisory positions. I advise graduates not to shun police recruitment exercises.

  Beryl Milando – Volunteer

I am 24 years and currently working as a volunteer in my community.

I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication with specialisation in TV production. I graduated in December 2011 with a credit from Multimedia University. The closest I have gotten to getting a job was when I worked as an intern. My last internship was with the BBC, which ended last year.

I sometimes think of relocating to another country where I can pick up the pieces and start life afresh.

We don’t have many female sports reporters in the media, but what mesmerises me is that people like us cannot job opportunities in the field. Am passionate about sports and business news and it’s my dream to be a reporter in any of the two sector, but mostly sports.

This year, I tried looking for a job in the Middle East, which didn’t go well with my father. I, however, thank God for that since am not sure if I would have lived to tell my tale. Now, the only thing I do is to volunteer my services.

Since there is no payment, my parents are still taking care of me. But I have not given up, I still looking forward to the day I’ll get my first pay slip.

Christine Okemwa - Mitumba seller

This is my firth year since I graduated. I have not been lucky in the employment world.

I have knowledge in conservation biology and I am now completing my Masters in Agro-forestry and Rural Development. In addition, I have attained training in life skills from Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), talent management and financial analysis from Institute of Africa Leadership Management.

I have been working as a volunteer in six Government offices. I always want to work for long but since you cannot be in a Government office for more than a year when you are not employed, the human resource people help me to move to next office.

I will not mention the number of job applications I have sent and how many people I have visited and begged to help me without luck.

To survive, I have resorted to selling second-hand items, starting from clothes to household goods.

I cannot condemn myself that I have not tried nor have I not done my part. Every day, I have been trying to ensure I get a decent job and support my family in vain. I am planning to visit a Government hospital someday to be advised on how to deal with stress.

My self-esteem is the only thing that keeps me going. But each day, it is waning. I no longer call my parents because I know how badly they need my support. 

Will I ever apply the great skills I attained when I did wonderful courses like climate change and global warming, rural development, research methods, social participation in community development, dry lands and natural resources management, statistical methods in agroforestry and rural development, environmental impact assessment, animal behaviour and integration of population health and environment?

To graduate, I did several jobs that included working as a painter, washing classrooms and slashing grass at Baraton University to pay for my undergraduate fees. Time is flying and my concern now is how I will repay my Higher Education Loans Board cash. The interest and the penalty are rising fast yet there is no job in sight.

Thank you The Standard for giving us a place to share our experiences.