A 37-year-old Kenyan graduate is appealing for help after failing to secure a job since his graduation 14 years ago.
Isaac Hague Oritcho graduated with First Class Honors in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi in 2007.
In his final year, he was awarded a certificate of merit for being the best undergraduate student in the faculty of Agriculture, an award that was accredited by the then Vice-Chancellor Prof. George Magoha, who is currently CS for Education.
Having been the best student in his faculty, the university awarded him a scholarship to pursue a master’s in Applied Nutrition.
But despite his impressive academic qualifications, Oritcho has not been able to find a job.
“I didn’t know that my hard work would one day betray me. I remember back in High School and University I would sacrifice my sleep to trans-night almost daily hoping my future would be bright. Unfortunately, right now I am surrounded by disappointments,” Oritcho told K24.
He says he has applied for over 1,000 vacant positions in various sectors including health, NGOs, food and beverage factories, and universities but they mostly turn him down due to ‘over qualification.’
“In the unlimited applications I have made ever since I graduated I have been turned down mostly for over qualifications or lack of job which to me is very strange,” he said.
In 2017, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology employed him as a part-time lecturer for one semester but he was never paid.
“I tried doing follow-ups but every time I am told to wait until I am like giving up. Someone was telling me to get a lawyer to help me out but I don’t have money to pay him/her. I find it odd. I don’t know if I am being punished for being a genius… Indeed the world can sometimes be unfair,” Oritcho added.
Oritcho sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education(KCSE) exam at Kondele Primary School and scored 486 marks out of 700.
He joined Kisumu High School where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam and scored a B+ in 2001.
He admits to contemplating suicide on many occasions due to his tribulations.
“Sometimes I think death is the only solution for me, especially that I don’t see a chance of living. Not once, not twice have I thought of taking rat rat to take away my life because after death there is no suffering. I have suffered a lot, “he said.
“I remember about two years ago when I met my former classmate driving in a classy car. I was embarrassed and heartbroken when he asked me where I was. I didn’t know how to answer him so I had to pretend that I was in a hurry.”
U need to humble yourself as…
U need to humble yourself as who knows ur former classmate could have hooked u up with a job. Killing yourself for not having a job, well its ur life if u wanna go down as an idiot. Leave the rat poison to the rats, dust off ur shoes n hit the road n am sure if u lower ur expectations u will find a job. U may not like it but as u work n put money in ur pockets u can on the side be looking for a job worthy of ur hard work. Talk bout killing yourself again n will fly to Kenya n beat the bullshit off ur ass, Fool.
@shaka – I do not always…
@shaka – I do not always agree with you but this is the best advise anyone can give this guy! He sounds to have more issues than the job he wants to get! Taking the rat poison sounds quite weird coming from him! And again, that is his choice for his life!
Sometimes you have to start…
Sometimes you have to start your own company or apply entry level positions but do not show all our degrees at first. Once you get in a prove yourself apply for internal jobs and climb the ladder.
He can work at KMTC but the…
He can work at KMTC but the military does not want Kenyans to work there.
These are the people who should be managing meat-packing.
The military is working…
The military is working there because the ordinary corrupt Kenyans tend to run those businesses to the ground with corruption! Get it? You just keep whining like a she-little-he-dog!
Your education didn’t fail,…
Your education didn’t fail, your country failed you brother. As smart as he appears to be, he should’ve looked for opportunities outside the country. 14 years is along time to keep looking for a job in Kenya with no luck. You can be extra smart but if you don’t have any connections, it’s unfortunately a dead end for you in that economy. It almost seems like he’s book smart and not street smart. That classmate you met driving a fancy car, you should’ve asked him what he and get a connection. There’s no shame in asking for help.
How does a country fail some…
How does a country fail some body? You are supposed to serve you country and not the country serving you @kk. Sometimes I wonder your real state of poverty driven mentality without a purpose! Cheap shot to your country when you are damn failing your cheap ass @kk!
If I may ask, how many…
If I may ask, how many people graduate with Food Sience and Technology degree,at the University of Nairobi? And how many of those land their dream jobs?
Oritcho’s story is so heart breaking,that Iam grappling with where to put ablame for his trouble.Certainly he appears to be hard working,committed,and ambitious.So what is wrong here folks?
I hope some company will read about his plea and offer him ajob.Iam sure there are more jobs with that degree than just nutritional therapist.
As much as you are disappointed,and discouraged,Mr Oritcho, please dont give up.Life is more than just using your education.It may not seem so when in your situation,but if you reflect on why you are alive,there any many things to be thankful,and live for.Knowing you are not the only one in this pool may not be aconsolation,but hopefully would help raise awareness of people is your situation. We all go through tribulations,Suicide is never asolution,but an escape that raises even more questions,such as,what could we have done to help.Who is to blame …mental health issues…etc. Keep hope alive.Never know what’s in store for you tomorrow. Best of luck.
The problem with this guy is…
The problem with this guy is that he wants a blue color job than getting on a farm to make work available for him!
Farmers are the richest folks in Kenya. He does not need millions of shillings to start a good working project and then start selling food across the country! I helped a buddy start with KES 20K and ten years later he is a millionaire.
This guy looks lazy and he does not want to work hard! He call himself a “genius” but he is acting like a foolish man!
I can’t help this kind of a dude @maxiley! Otherwise the money will be wasted.
Just tell him how hard you work down there in Florida! If you were to go out there displaying your degrees – and I know you got many, no body will even look at you!
By the way @maxiley, how was your date with the Mexican beauty? You know my girl is from Venezuela? A Doctor by profession! Very good and beautiful people!
@ Mathenge, yeapm things are…
@ Mathenge, yeapm things are looking very good.I am behaving well.She is worth for the long howl.I hope all goes well.I wish those ngo’ombes Uhuru send to Burundi were heading to Mexico,hahaha, that would give me another bargaining chip.
MMmmm Venezuela… Hey there have been afew Miss universe or miss world from there.I can imagin the jewery you have in your hands.Dont lose her…
As for this Isaac fellow,I think he wants an office job.I just feel sorry for him. 4 years is along time to tarmac .You add that to suicide thoughts,and you have a guy who is about to give up.I just hope someone will give him ahelping hand.
@Maxiley, I know this is…
@Maxiley, I know this is cold but hard work and the country haven’t betrayed him. He has betrayed himself. He wants a white collar administrative job so he can lord it over people. I have an uncle who is 85, who makes way more than his brother who was a doctor, with a rice farm in Mwea and a small scale tea farm in Kimunye. At his residence, he grows and sells avocados, mangoes and macadamias and some milk from his dairy cows. With his income he has purchased and owns multiple rental properties. He uses biogas yet never went past form 2 at Nyeri Boys. The difference is that he was not afraid of manual labor. This Hague fellow should swallow his pride get his hands dirty and do practical work farming and forget about handouts.
@ Mundumugo, I hear you. I…
@ Mundumugo, I hear you. I have a lawyer friend here whose wife almost divorced him because he refused to do any unskilled work to help out while waiting for his dream job.Luckily for him salvation came in the nick of time. I sure would hope that this is not the case with this fellow,but again after 14 years without work,you wonder why ….That’s why I asked how many students graduate for Kenyan universities with the same degree he has,and how are they fairing.
The Gīkūyū word is kīgūta…
The Gīkūyū word is kīgūta. After year 1, you would start working on plan b. There is a story on these pages about a John Pameri, standard 8 dropout who volunteered and made a life for himself at Lewa Conservancy. The difference is one was motivated while the other thought the degrees had guaranteed a smooth road with no further inputs required.
Yeap, I read it. In this…
Yeap, I read it. In this world, humbling one’s self is avery important trait toward healthy growth.
Brother, I understand your…
Brother, I understand your pain.
That’s why some of us are in diaspora.
Hang in there brother.
Sorry Isaac, but the choice…
Sorry Isaac, but the choice of major is important.
Well, well- This is as a…
Well, well- This is as a result of failed policies by our government.
Oritcho, stop looking for a job and ask for help to create your own job and help others.
Look not for a job with acquired training but look for God’s give from within.
This is common to many new…
This is common to many new graduates. They attend lectures, work hard and graduate. Every university has a career center, and every student (except if you family is Kennedy, Kenyatta or Odinga) should visit that center once every year (or semester). Just to understand employers and what they are looking for. Getting the grades, you only receive half of what you are paying for. The other half is outside the classroom.
Aki pole brother I feel you…
Aki pole brother I feel you. One thing in this country is you’re nothing with all those degrees. 14 years was enough for you to do some Cna and work hard to get capital for your own business or climb up the ladder RN- all -the way to become a doctor I did that. Another alternative is get a mini job and go to college to pursue your dream career in the USA. My husband was a Doctor but he worked in construction, cvs as he struggled to get into school here.
This works USA ?? Is another beast.
My bratha many of us have…
My bratha many of us have masters degrees n probably some phd but wanafanya Kai zingine.The problem with our education system is we wait to b employed not to think outside the box by starting our own small company or doing something else.My bratha think of becoming a farmer yr name sounds like ur from either western or nyanza where farmland is big n not in use.Do another skill like electrician/plumber/tiler which is less than 1 yr n I guarantee you that u will b making way way better money than that science degree.Otherwise don’t give up bratha.
Even @halisi has some…
Even @halisi has some sensible advise give today! Very good! But also tell “The Hague” not to be too choosy! Beggars should take whatever comes their way for a better tomorrow!
I am sorry to hear your…
I am sorry to hear your story. Do not give up! I pray that God makes a way for you.
Please also remember that…
Please also remember that God helps those who help themselves! God is not lazy! He build everything in 7 days with a very organized plan. Read the book of Genesis since you sound to know God! Hague is plainly lazy!
How did he study to get so…
How did he study to get so many qualifications without a job?
@hague! You know with such a…
@hague! You know with such a name no body will give you a job in Kenya? Even euro who has a degree in agriculture will just throw your application for job in the trash bin! Have tried farming upcountry! You should have some farming skills since you got a degree in agriculture! First drop the name “Hague”. Second move up country a rent a small shamba and start from there! AMA?
This man has some sort of…
This man has some sort of problem! Why did Masinde Muliro terminate him after one semester!?
He is trying to climb the tree from its weakest point (the weak bushes) than trying to get his foot on strong grounds and then move up through the tree trunk!
Put your arrogance aside and do what is necessary to get a job or to create one for you and many other people!
I don’t even feel sorry for you begging for a job here! There are many opportunities right where you are but you are blind to see them!
I won’t even want to help you because you are too choosy and weak. No body want to invest in someone who is not willing to work! Join the Army and start there!
If Hague was a genius like…
If Hague was a genius like he wants to tell us, he would have found a job already! This guy had a level of arrogance beyond his head! No wonder no body wants to hire him.
This man’s problem is that…
This man’s problem is that he is looking for employment, not a job or a source of income. For 14 years he has been running around looking for some one to employ him. and pleaaassssseeee get of you genius train, you are a B+ student, not a genius. Humble yourself, look around and stop waiting for someone to employ you. If you started selling moba 10 years ago, today you would be a major supplier of mboga making millions of shillings and employing other people.
CNA pays Ksh. 3,000 per day…
CNA pays Ksh. 3,000 per day. Why not look for a place where they train people CNA?
I have 12M jobs in the…
I have 12M jobs in the pipeline including running factories. Contact me we plan n 3 years you will be a millionaire
If it sounds too good to be…
If it sounds too good to be true!!!
Please, ask Isaac Oritcho to…
Please, ask Isaac Oritcho to drop me his cv for consideration of a job opportunity in Uganda
I feel you brother you are…
I feel you brother you are not alone we are many the best you can do don’t sit and wait for an employment in Kenya,rather look for money start a small farm or a small bussiness for yourself however small the bussiness is oneday you will count some millions on it….focus on creating your own job our country is a corrupt one if you wait for employment I assure you..you will die poor….it is a race start a bussiness you will one day smile in your beautiful BENZE …..it’s a process and so many are into this….by God’s grace we shall all win.
I feel you brother you are…
I feel you brother you are not alone we are many the best you can do don’t sit and wait for an employment in Kenya,rather look for money start a small farm or a small bussiness for yourself however small the bussiness is oneday you will count some millions on it….focus on creating your own job our country is a corrupt one if you wait for employment I assure you..you will die poor….it is a race start a bussiness you will one day smile in your beautiful BENZE …..it’s a process and so many are into this….by God’s grace we shall all win.