Graduate hawks water for a living

By RUSHDIE OUDIA and NAFTAL MAKORI

Patrick Okumu carefully packs water in polythene bags as he readies to start another long day.

Okumu, 43, who lives in Migosi estate in Kisumu, sells water at Sh3 each at Kondele market. Each day, he buys a can of water, purifier and polythene papers for packaging.

From his sales, the university graduate saves Sh100 for house rent and uses the rest for his upkeep and to sustain his business. Although this is not the kind of life and work Okumu envisaged as a university student, he has been doing it ever since he gave up searching for a formal job.

“Life has pushed me to the edge. I must engage in this business to survive,” he says.

Okumu graduated from Egerton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry. 

He attended Marigat Secondary School from 1986 to 1989 where he sat his KCSE. Not satisfied with his performance, Okumu sought Form 3 admission at Kakamega Boys High School. He repeated KCSE and attained B – (minus), a grade that saw him join Egerton University in 1993.

As a young graduate, Okumu was hopeful that his expertise in biochemistry would have him employed in sugarcane factories in Nyanza region.

“I am good at industrial chemistry. I was hopeful after graduation I would secure employment,” said Okumu.

Okumu had worked for NGOs and pharmaceutical companies in Kisumu before he lost his job. And after staying without a job for several years, he settled on water selling business.

His story is no different from Ben Mosaisi, who repairs vehicle tyres to earn a living. The Diploma in Sales and Marketing graduate from Kenya Institute of Professional Studies has been unemployed for three years.

When he graduated, he was full of optimism that he would get formal employment. But after numerous unsuccessful job applications, Mosaisi resolved to be self-employed.

Most of the money he earns from his trade caters for his daily needs. “It becomes difficult to save any money. Besides, I cannot get a bank loan to invest or expand my business.”

Mosaisi is the Secretary of Hope Melody Self Help Group, which they started to support other jobless youths. Each member of the group is a committed Christian and a singer.

Every Saturday, they gather at local churches to sing.

“The group started a year ago and it has enabled us do a lot. We have a merry-go-round association to support each other,” says Mosaisi.

Cliffeson Musa, the group’s patron, holds a Diploma in Information Technology from Eldoret Media and Music Institute. He owns a studio.

“Equipment is expensive. But with the little that I have, we can successfully record music here. Besides, I do video shooting and editing. I use my skills to sustain my young family,” says the father of two. All the group’s members are college graduates.