KCB 2Jiajiri initiative opened for me a new pathway, says artist

Getting a job in Kenya can be a daunting task.

It, however, gets tougher when one has got no formal skills or certification.

As such, most job seekers in this category get manual jobs, with poor pay and no job security, as Daniel Kavita found before finding his way into entrepreneurship.

“I needed a job to pay my bills after form four, I pursued my passion for fine arts and signboards, but the pay was dismal,” says Kavita.

Looking to find some greener pastures, Kavita got another job at the now out-of-business Tuskys Supermarkets.

“I discovered this was not my thing, and I returned to the roadside to continue with my business of doing signboards,” he explains.

The then-young Kavita sought life at the roadside along Ngong Road where he could get random jobs to design signboards. It was while here that he heard of training opportunities sponsored by the KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri initiative.

For him, this was an opportunity for a lifetime. He says joining the programme was enlightening, and without it, he would have closed business.

“I went for the training out of passion, unfortunately, there was no course-specific in line with what I was doing, so I enlisted for wood work where I learned how to use the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine, which I found to be best for wood engraving,” Kavita told the Standard.

He adds, “this sharpened my skills in designing signs, and moved me from manual to automated machine, and even got a certificate.”

Today, Kavita is the proprietor of DANKASS ARTS DESIGNS - a carpentry and plasma-cutting business, where he also mentors others and offers Plasma cutting services.

The 35 years old Kavita says “My life without KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri would be bad, I would have closed my business, but it took a new path, I now have a registered business which is active and profitable.”

The programme also exposed him to networking and business management skills. Kavita said he is keen to mentor others, having employed two people and trained them in using the CNC machine.

“My skill is in high demand as I am called upon to train others.”

Africa has a population of almost 200 million people aged between 15 and 24. This category makes up 40% of the workforce and 60% of the unemployed active labour force. This number is expected to double by 2045, bringing a big challenge to African Economies since high youth unemployment is an impending threat to stability in Africa.

Although the overall unemployment in Kenya is at 12.7 per cent, Youth (15 – 34 years old), who form 35 per cent of the Kenyan population, have the highest unemployment rate of 67 per cent, according to data by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE). 

Besides, over one million young people enter into the labour market annually without any skills some having either dropped out of school or completed school and not enrolled in any college.

The KCB Foundation, through the 2Jiajiri initiative, has been fostering hope among Kenyans through support in developing technical and business skills.

The program helps young people start and grow businesses through vocational training and business development, creating jobs for the youth while making some employers.