Kenya is quietly facing a crisis that few are willing to confront — the paradox of underemployed PhD holders. While advanced education is often hailed as the path to opportunity, for many of the country’s most educated citizens, it has instead become a journey into uncertainty.
“There is a silent crisis among PhD holders — a paradox that few are willing to confront,” says Dr Vince Arasa Nyabunga, a part-time lecturer who teaches Kiswahili, Communication, and Translation. “When scholars with Master’s and Doctoral degrees cannot find meaningful work, it reflects a deeper systemic issue in our society.”
Despite Kenya not having an overwhelmingly low number of PhD holders, their unemployment and underemployment rates continue to rise.
According to the Commission of University Education (CUE) website, Kenya produces approximately 300 to 400 PhD graduates per year, against a national target of at least 1000 annually.
Also, current data from the CUE website indicates that the total number of PhD holders in Kenya is less than 10,000.
“It is ironic that the highest level of education — a Doctorate of Philosophy — now opens fewer doors in Kenya than ever before,” Dr Nyabunga says.
Behind every PhD certificate lies years of sacrifice — long night
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