Post on 16-Mar-2022
Jambo/Hello, UCT graduate or (soon-to-be)!
Are you curious about what opportunities are open for you once you return to Kenya? This resource provides you some employment related information on your country, hints on where to start looking for work and who to connect with to access professional networks.
Kenya offers you great possibilities as there are existing skill shortages, the economy is expanding and also you have a degree from a world class university.
If you are considering staying in South Africa to work, remember you would need a South African work permit. There is a section on that at the end of this resource.
Economic Overview
Population: 44.86 million (2014)
Total Labour Force: 17 500 228 (2014)
GPD: $60.94 billion (2014)
GDP Breakdown per sector:
Agriculture: 25.4%
Industry: 19.6%
Manufacturing: 11.3%
Services: 40.9%
GPD Growth: 5.35% (2014)
Unemployment: 40% (2014)
Inflation:6.6% (2015)
Source: http://www.worldbank.org/
(Kenya at a Glance)
Kenyan economy projected to expand in 2016
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNNZAhU8L8A
Published on 9 May 2016 by CNBC Africa
“The 2015 Economic Survey has painted a
positive picture of Kenya's economy with the
report highlighting that Kenya expanded by 5.6
per cent in that year. CNBC Africa unpacks the
key drivers of this growth.”
Skills shortage list:
Specialized skills shortages exist in the following Kenyan sectors:
IT
Oil and Gas
Aviation
Engineering
Main sectors of employment
Agriculture, manufacturing, construction and services like tourism comprise the main sectors of
employment in Kenya. Remember that you don’t need to have a degree in construction or tourism for
instance to work in those sectors. Some degrees, like certain types of engineering, are specific to a
context, but most companies need an array of staff to manage finance, marketing, staff needs and
more. Don’t limit your options by looking in a sector specific location unless your qualification is that
specialized. The main sectors of employment listed below is only a starting point as they employ the
largest number of people. There are many more opportunities beyond this list. You just need to work
at your CV, research opportunities and network.
AGRICULTURE
At the 2016 World Economic Forum, Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, motivated agriculture as an
important vehicle to expand the economy, not just in Kenya, but for the whole African continent.
Modernization (like using technology and data to improve crop yields) and targeting niche markets (with
organic produce for instance) are showing positive results and attracting youth to the sector.
VIDEO : New generations in Kenya favours agriculture over corporate gigs
“Young people in Kenya are increasingly turning away from the corporate world and diving into
agriculture. With more advanced techniques, some of these ventures are turning out to be a lot more
rewarding than a white-collar, 8-to-5 slog. Some, like Anthony Munene are practising organic farming
to boost output and become self-sustainable. Leslie Mirungu, explains.”
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_HdCFLYSYc
Published on 19 Mar 2016 by CCTV Africa
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing includes the production of consumer goods like plastic, furniture, soap and cigarettes;
agricultural products like horticulture and building materials like aluminium, steel and cement.
Manufacturing plays a critical role in the Kenyan economy and government is set on increasing the
sector’s contribution to the national GDP to 15%.
VIDEO: Kenya’s promising manufacturing sector
“With solid continuing growth in infrastructure, agriculture production, manufacturing and other
industries, Kenya is set to be among the fastest growing economies in East Africa.”
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwdKUSyKgkQ
Published 3 May 2016 by K24TV
CONSTRUCTION
Kenya’s construction sector is growing annually. Road networks are being improved, the urban
housing demand is being tended to and economic infrastructure being expanded on. The growth is
predicted to stay at a 9% yearly until 2024.
VIDEO: The Kenya construction and infrastructure sector is anticipating a growth
“Africa building and construction industry news, reports, projects, events, opinions and reviews. We
cover ongoing, planned projects in Africa and around the world and audience include contractors,
stakeholders such as financiers and developers, governments, and private undertakings.”
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBEJKO2cn6k
Published on 30 May 2015 by Construction Review
TOURISM
Kenyan tourism has been a key component in the services sector employing a large number of people.
Kenya’s natural beauty, number of nature reserves and abundant wildlife lures tourists from all over the
world. It is still a main sector of employment, but the industry unfortunately suffered the impact of
terrorist attacks in Kenya in 2013 and 2015. Efforts to improve the industry offers opportunities in
innovation, marketing and advertising.
VIDEO: Tourism minister Najib Balala calls for a revamp of tourist packages in a bid to
lure more tourists
“The ministry of tourism has laid down the gauntlet for hoteliers, with respect to pricing that does not
attract local tourists. This comes as tourism minister Najib Balala underscored the need for a revamp
of tourist packages in a bid to lure both local and international tourists. The move comes even as the
ministry allocated two billion shillings to the Kenya tourism board to spearhead marketing campaigns.”
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUxpwm9hSj0
Published on 29 Dec 2015 by KTM News Kenya
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Real Estate
VIDEO: Kenya's Real Estate Sector Growth is one of the fastest in the world
“Kenya's real estate sector is one of the fastest growing in the world, notably of the performance in the
1st quarter of 2013, despite the General elections. ABN's Loise Wachira speaks to some of the
stakeholders for more on the sector.”
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOg6LgT3WCM
Published on 9 May 2013 by CNBC Africa
Technology
VIDEO: Nairobi, Kenya has become the tech hub of Africa
“Nairobi, Kenya has become the tech hub of Africa, a niche that could be worth more than one billion
dollars to the country in the next three years despite its 40% unemployment rate. Kenya is throwing all
their eggs in the tech basket as they build a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure in the form of a "Techno
City" that will support 200,000.” (Source: Bloomberg)
WATCH: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/b/fa73fc02-c511-4824-806d-5656acdfae7c
Published on 18 April 2016 by Bloomberg
Routes to employment
Use a variety of strategies and channels to see what is out there for you. Don’t just limit yourself to
searching for job adverts, also network with people from the industry and companies you are interested
in.
SEARCHING ONLINE
It will be rare for a position not to be posted somewhere on the internet. Digital recruiting is a cheaper
and more flexible option for companies. It should be where you start looking.
If you know what you are looking for and know how to ask for it, Google will find it for you - if it is out
there. When doing internet searches try various search words in combination. Start narrow and then
widen your search. Here is an example:
To find job boards that specialise in job postings in a specific industry for instance “Engineering in
Kenya”. Type the following in the Google search box:
engineering + job boards + Kenya
This tells Google to look for engineering job boards with opportunities based in Kenya. The “+” sign
ensures that all of the requirements are included in the results. Replace engineering with whatever
industry you are looking in. But you have to try out lots of different words and combinations to make
sure you have searched extensively.
Another option can be to replace “job boards” with “job”. Like this:
Engineer job + Kenya or Engineer job + Nairobi
You can be more specific about the type of engineering or the location in Kenya.
There are more versions of the word “job” that would yield the results you need. For example:
vacancy
opportunity
position
internship
graduate programme
Try as many as you can think of. Also remember new jobs get added all the time, so don’t give up too
soon - keep searching over a period of time.
Searching on Linkedin:
If you go to https://www.linkedin.com/jobs you will be able to search for positions advertised on Linkedin
specifically. You can add a job title, or company name or other keywords in the Linkedin search box
and then combine it with Kenya or a specific location in Kenya. On the same Linkedin jobs page you
can also set your preferences so Linkedin can filter jobs that you might be interested in.
Newspapers:
Twenty years ago newspapers were where jobseekers would search for opportunities. They are still a
useful resource; you never know; you might see something you have not searched for. Try the main
Kenyan newspapers available online:
Daily Nation
http://www.nation.co.ke/
Daily Post
http://www.kenyan-post.com/
Standard Digital
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/
The Star Kenya
http://www.the-star.co.ke/
Here is also a list of Kenyan focused recruitment websites:
Brighter Monday
https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/
Career Point
http://www.careerpointkenya.co.ke/
Kenya Moya
http://www.kenyamoja.com/jobs/
New Kenyan Jobs
http://www.newkenyanjobs.com/
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Professional associations or bodies provide you access to a community of people working in the sorts
of positions and companies where you want to work. Most sectors are likely to have such a professional
association. Some even have more than one. Becoming a member grants you access to a wealth of
insider information such as new developments in your chosen profession or more importantly work
opportunities.
When you head back to Kenya, a good place to start is to join a relevant professional association there.
Start putting your feelers out in your final year, so you can hit the ground running when graduation is
within sight. Once you are a member of a professional association, you will be alerted to their organised
activities usually via email or an online networking platform. The point is to meet and network with other
members of the association, so make sure you attend organised events to benefit and go prepared to
network.
Tips for networking at a professional association event:
1. Dress professionally and appropriately for the event
2. Be your smart, charming self
Remember networking has a social aspect to it. It’s not an interview, but it’s also not a
night out with your friends. Find a professional-sociable middle ground. 3. Make sure you have an updated CV ready
This will enable you to quickly respond if you hear about an opportunity or a member
offers to circulate your CV to his or her contacts. 4. Also keep your Linkedin profile current
People may search for you on Linkedin after the event 5. Take names and business cards of people you connected with
6. Utilise the contacts you made on the next business day
This way you will still be fresh in their minds. Send your CV if they asked for it, or contact
the people they suggested. Be sure to also thank the person who provided you with leads
for opportunities whether they turn up something or not. 7. Search Linkedin for people you met
Here’s how:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/302?query=searching%20for%20people%
20on%20Linkedin 8. Send them invitations to connect
Here’s how:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/118
9. Personalise your invitation to connect
Rather than just a blank invitation to connect, personalize your invitation. Here’s how:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/46662
List of Professional Associations
Accounting
Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK)
https://www.facebook.com/awak2016/
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)
www.icpak.com
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
http://www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/Africa/Kenya/
Administrative and Support Service
Institute of Certified Public Secretaries (ICPSK)
www.icpsk.com
https://www.facebook.com/icpsk
https://twitter.com/ICPSK
Agricultural
Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN)
www.koan.co.ke
Architecture, Construction, Surveying and Engineering
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)
www.aak.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/Architectural-Association-of-Kenya-206346912900099/
https://twitter.com/arch_ke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
(Architects, Town Planners, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Environmental
Design Consultants and Construction Project Managers)
Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK)
www.isk.or.ke
http://www.linkedin.com/in/institution-of-surveyors-of-kenya-isk-
5789a33a?authType=name&authToken=6s6i
https://www.facebook.com/The-Institution-of-Surveyors-of-Kenya-237996989558589/
https://twitter.com/isk_kenya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK)
www.iqskenya.org
https://www.facebook.com/The-Quantity-Surveyor-163577436990098/
Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK)
www.acek.co.ke
Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)
www.iekenya.org
Institute of Planners (KIP)
www.kip.co.ke
https://www.facebook.com/PhysicalPlannersGallery/?fref=nf
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
www.rics.org
(RICS is international, but has an office in Nairobi)
Banking, Finance and Insurance
Kenya Bankers Association
http://www.kba.co.ke/
https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBankersAssociation
https://twitter.com/KenyaBankers
Kenya Institute of Bankers (KIB)
www.kib.co.ke
Insurance Institute of Kenya
www.lik.info.ke
Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI)
http://www.akinsure.com/
Business
Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO)
http://kawbo.or.ke/
https://www.facebook.com/Kenya-Association-Of-Women-Business-Owners-KAWBO-
481956245230776/
Earth Sciences
Kenya Meteorological Society (KMS)
http://www.kms.or.ke
Food Science and Technology
Kenya Institute of Food Science and Technology
https://www.facebook.com/Kenya-institute-of-food-science-and-technology-265403823532460/
Health and Wellness
Kenya Medical Association, www.kma.co.ke
https://www.facebook.com/KenyaMedicalAssociation
https://twitter.com/KenyaMedics_KMA
Kenya Association of Radiologists
http://kenyaradiologists.org/
Kenya Dental Association
www.kda.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/KenyaDentaAssociation/
Kenya Society of Physiotherapists
www.ksphy.org
https://www.facebook.com/Kenya-Society-of-Physiotherapists-245504362287275/
Society of Radiography in Kenya
www.radiography.or.ke
National Nurses Association of Kenya
www.nnak.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/National-Nurses-Association-Of-Kenya-NNAK-1627793944148384/
Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya
http://psk.or.ke/
https://www.facebook.com/pharmaceuticalsocietyofkenya/
Information and Communication
Information Communication and Technology Association of Kenya (ICTAK)
http://www.ictak.or.ke/
https://www.facebook.com/ictak/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ict-association-of-kenya-ictak-672552ba
Computer Society of Kenya (CSK)
www.cskonline.org
https://www.facebook.com/ComputerSocietyOfKenya/
Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK)
http://www.tespok.co.ke/
Law
Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
www.lsk.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/Law-Society-of-Kenya-122473797783700/
https://twitter.com/lawsocietykenya
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya (CIArb Kenya)
www.ciarbkenya.org
Management
Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE)
www.fke-kenya.org
Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
www.kim.ac.ke
https://www.facebook.com/Kenya-Institute-of-Management-296073827123388/
https://twitter.com/kimkenya
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
www.kepsa.or.ke
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kepsa-kenya-351bbb105
https://www.facebook.com/Kenya-Private-Sector-Alliance-KEPSA-355762534501978/
https://twitter.com/kepsa_kenya
United Business Association (UBA)
www.ubakenya.org
Manufacturing
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
www.kam.co.ke
Kenya Motor Industry Association
http://www.kmi.co.ke/
Marketing, Public Relations,
Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK)
www.msk.co.ke
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/4883320/profile
https://twitter.com/msk_kenya
https://www.facebook.com/marketingsocietyofkenya/
Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK)
www.prsk.co.ke
https://www.facebook.com/prskkenya
https://twitter.com/prskkenya
Mining and Geology
Geological Society of Kenya (GSK)
https://www.facebook.com/gskorg/
Mining Engineers Society of Kenya (MESK)
http://www.mesk.co.ke/
https://www.facebook.com/MiningEngineersKenya/
Kenya Chamber of Mines
http://www.kenyachambermines.com/
NGO Bureau
www.ngobureau.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/ngoboardkenya
https://twitter.com/ngoboardkenya
Publishing
Kenya Publishers' Association (KPA)
http://www.kenyapublishers.org
Research
The Marketing & Social Research Association of Kenya (MSRA)
http://www.msra.or.ke/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/msra-kenya-8a671b9b
https://www.facebook.com/MSRAKenya2013
https://twitter.com/MSRAKenya
Safety and security
Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA)
http://ksia.co.ke/
Tourism
Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF)
www.ktf.co.ke
https://www.facebook.com/KenyaTourismFederation/
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC)
http://www.kahc.co.ke/
Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO)
http://www.katokenya.org/
Kenya Association of Travel Agents
http://www.katakenya.org/
Transport
The Kenya Transport Association
(KTA) http://www.kta.co.ke/
Wholesale and Retail, Trade and Exports
Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK)
http://retrak.co.ke/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/retail-trade-association-of-kenya
https://www.facebook.com/retailtradeassociation/
https://twitter.com/retrakenya
Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK)
www.cofek.co.ke
https://www.facebook.com/Consumers-Federation-of-Kenya-Cofek-108539345896576/
https://twitter.com/consumerskenya
Kenya Institute of Suppliers Management (KISM)
www.kism.or.ke
https://www.facebook.com/kismgt/
Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK)
http://www.fpeak.org/
APPROACHING A COMPANY
You can also make direct contact with companies you are interested in. Visit their website and start by
looking for their jobs section, if they have one. It will be indicated as “careers”, “work for us”,
“recruitment” or “jobs”. If there is something you are interested in, apply! Alternatively, contact them
anyway and ask about their recruitment process and whether you can forward your CV.
Company list:
The list below is only a starting point, use your internet search skills to create a list of
companies you are interested in.
Financial and Insurance Activities
African Development Bank Group
www.afdb.org
Barclays Bank Kenya
www.barclays.com
British American Investment Company
www.british-american.co.ke
Central Bank of Kenya
www.centralbank.go.ke
Centrum Investment Company Ltd.
www.centrum.co.ke
CfC Stanbic Bank Kenya
www.cfcstanbicbank.co.ke
Chase Bank
www.chasebank.co.ke
Citibank
www.citibank.com
Commercial Bank of Africa (Kenya)
www.cbagroup.com
Co-operative Bank of Kenya
www.co-opbank.co.ke
Deloitte Kenya
www.careers.deloitte.com
Diamond Trust Bank (Kenya)
www.dtbk.dtbafrica.com
Equity Bank
www.equitybank.co.ke
Ernst and Young Kenya
www.ey.com
Family Bank
www.familybank.co.ke
Faulu Kenya
www.faulukenya.com
Housing Finance Company Ltd. www.housing.co.ke
Financial Sector Deepening
www.fsdkenya.org
ICDC, Development Finance
www.icdc.co.ke
IDB Capital Ltd.
www.idbkenya.co.ke
Jubilee Holdings Ltd.
www.jubileeholdings.com
KADET Ltd., Microfinance,
www.kadet.co.ke
Kenya Commercial Bank
www.kcbbankgroup.co.ke
Kenya Re-Insurance Corporation
www.kenyare.co.ke
Kenya Women Finance Trust
www.kwft.org
KPMG
www.kpmg.com
National Bank of Kenya
www.nationalbank.co.ke
NIC Bank
www.nic-bank.com
PricewaterhouseCoopers
www.pwc.com.ke
SMEP DTM Ltd
www.smep.co.ke
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
www.standardchartered.com
Information and Communication
Access Kenya
www.accesskenya.com
Airtel Kenya
www.africa.airtel.com
Communications Commission of Kenya
www.cck.go.ke
www.google.com
KenCall, Telecommunications
www.kencall.com
Ericsson Kenya, Telecommunications
www.ericsso.com
National Media Group, Multimedia
www.nationalmedia.com
Posta Kenya
www.posta.co.ke
Safaricom
www.safaricom.co.ke
Scangroup
www.scangroup.bic
Telkom Kenya
www.telkom.co.ke
The Standard Group Ltd.
www.standardmedia.co.ke
Manufacturing
British American Tobacco Kenya Ltd
www.bat.com
Car & General Ltd.,
www.cargen.com
Coca Cola Kenya
www.thecoca-clacompany.com
Crown-Berger Kenya Ltd.
www.crownberger.co.ke
East African Breweries Ltd.
www.eabl.com
General Electric (GE)
www.ge.com/ke/careers/index.html
Mumias Sugar Company Ltd.
www.mumias-surgar.com
Sameer Africa Ltd.
www.sameerafrica.com
Unilever
www.unilever-esa.com
Mining and Quarrying
Athi River Mining Ltd.
www.armafrica.com
Bamburi Cement Ltd. (Lafarge) www.lafarge.co.ke
East African Portland Cement Co Ltd.
www.eastafricanportland.com
Energy
Aggreko
www.aggrko.com
BG Group
www.bg-group.com
Halliburton
www.halliburton.com
KenolKobil
www.kenolkobil.com
Kenya electricity Generating Company
www.kengen.co.ke
The Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd.
www.kplc.co.ke
Tullow Oil, Energy
www.tullowoil.com
Schlumberger
www.slb.com
Total Kenya Ltd.
www.total.co.ke
Non-Profit and Development
organisations
ActionAid Kenya
www.actionaid.org/kenya
Agency for Cooperation and
Research in Development www.acordinternational.org
African Medical & Research Foundation
www.amref.org
Dalberg
www.dalberg.com
German Development Service
www.gtz.de
GOAL
www.goal.ie
International Medical Corps
www.careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org
International Aid (Sweden)
www.ias-intl.org
International Rescue Committee
www.rescue.org
Kenya Red Cross Society
www.kenyaredcross.org
Oxfam International
www.oxfam.org
Plan International
www.plan-international.org
World Concern
www.worldconcern.org
International Organisation for Migration
www.iom.int
International Committee of the Red Cross
www.icrc.org
World Vision International
www.wvafrica.org
Public Administration
Public Service Commission of Kenya
www.publicservice.go.ke
Research
Kenya Institute for Public
Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
www.kippra.org
Kenya Industrial Research
and Development Institute (KIRDI)
www.kirdi.go.ke
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
www.knbs.or.ke
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
www.kebs.org
Ipsos-Synovate
www.synovate.co.ke
Tourism
Fairview Hotel
https://clhg.com/hotels/901/Fairview-Hotel-Nairobi
Transportation and Storage
Express Kenya Ltd.
www.expressenya.com
Kenya Airways
www.kenya-airways.com
Water Supply, Sewerage,
Waste Management and
Remediation Activities
Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company
www.nairobiwater.co.ke
Wholesale and Retail Trade
Uchumi Supermarkets Kenya
www.uchumi.com
CAREERS SERVICE
Your Careers Service at UCT provides you with a link to the world of work through its extensive network
of employers from a variety of disciplines. Resources and opportunities you can make use of include:
Search for work on MyCareer
Book a Career Consultation with a Careers Advisor
Attend career expos and events to meet employers
Many employers have operations in Africa. There is even a dedicated Africa Careers Expo.
Go to www.careers.uct.ac.za to access any of these opportunities.
Working in South Africa
If you studied at UCT (or any another South African university) and you want to remain in South Africa,
you will require a work visa. There are 3 types of work visas available to foreign nationals who want to
work in South Africa.
GENERAL WORK VISA
The General Work Visa has very strict requirements. It involves having a firm job offer or contract from
a South African employer and proving that there is no South African who can fill the position. The
General Work Visa is issued in the name of the employer. This ties you to the company for the duration
in which you work in South Africa. If you wish to change your job or employer, you will need to apply for
a new work visa.
INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER VISA
Foreigners employed abroad by a business that either operates in South Africa or has a subsidiary or
affiliate relationship with a business here may be issued with an Intra-company Transfer Visa if they
need to work in the country.
CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA
The Critical Skills Work Visa is a merger of what was previously the Quota Work Visa and the
Exceptional Skills Work Visa. Work visas for this category is issued in accordance with the Critical Skills
List. You can find a link to this list and more information on the Critical Skills Visa on the South African
Home Affairs’ website. Here:
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za:8087/index.php/scarce-skills-work-quotas
Content last updated: August 2016