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.

Google

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

Google

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