For many young Kenyans, the dream of “getting a good job” has quietly died. What was once presented as a guaranteed path to stability has become, for this generation, a slippery promise,one that rarely delivers. Today’s youth are no longer convinced that traditional employment is the surest route to success. And honestly, who can blame them?
The first reason is brutally simple: jobs are disappearing faster than graduates are being produced. Every year, thousands leave universities with degrees, yet the labour market offers only a fraction of the opportunities they need. The math does not add up. Young people are tired of sending endless applications into a void and waiting months for interview calls that never come. The frustration has taught them one truth: traditional employment is no longer a guarantee, it’s a gamble.
Secondly, those who actually secure these jobs quickly realise a different problem,poor pay and exploitation. Many entry-level positions offer salaries that cannot sustain basic needs, let alone dreams. Long hours, minimal benefits, delayed promotions, and constant pressure have made formal employment feel like a trap rather than a milestone. Youth today want more than survival; they want dignity, creativity, and growth, and many workplaces simply do not provide that.
Another major shift is the rise of the digital economy, which has completely rewritten the rules. The internet has shown young people that you don’t need an office, a boss, or even a formal CV to succeed. With TikTok creators earning more than junior accountants, with freelancers making money from global clients, and with online businesses growing daily, the idea of waiting for a traditional job suddenly feels outdated. The digital world has democratized opportunity,something our formal job market has failed to do.
Moreover, Kenyan youth are increasingly valuing flexibility and freedom. They have seen their parents’ generation sacrifice their health and happiness to remain loyal to companies that offered little in return. They are rejecting that model. This generation wants work that fits their lives, not the other way around. They want to build, innovate, explore, and earn from multiple sources, not just one employer.
Lastly, the economic uncertainty in Kenya has pushed youth to embrace self-reliance. With rising unemployment, inflation, and unpredictable job security, many young people have realized that entrepreneurship, gig work, and digital hustles—while risky—offer something traditional jobs rarely do: control. Control over income, time, and personal direction.
Traditional employment has not lost value entirely; it has simply lost its monopoly. Kenyan youth have changed because the world has changed, and they have chosen to adapt rather than cling to a broken promise. They want meaningful work, financial freedom, and a future that is not dependent on the mercy of one employer.
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