NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 5 – Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang\u2019wa has disclosed that a total of 600 Kenyans applied for a single job in his office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thang\u2019wa revealed that his office received 576 applications for one vacancy for a photographer and video editor, describing the situation as the growing desperation among young Kenyans searching for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the senator, the job advert was posted on January 25, 2026 and the deadline has since passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of the 576 applications received, 533 were from male applicants while 43 were from women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese numbers are not just remarkable; they are a strong signal of the scale of youth unemployment in the country,\u201d the senator said in a statement released on March 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that nearly 600 qualified young Kenyans competing for a single job should not be seen as a statistic to celebrate but rather a clear sign that the country needs to urgently address the unemployment crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The job advertisement had attracted attention because of its unusual requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The successful candidate will be required to take photos and shoot videos during public activities, including in volatile and unpredictable environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advert stated that the person hired should not be afraid of police, teargas or chaotic situations and should be able to operate a camera even in the middle of commotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applicants were also told they must remain calm under pressure and meet tight deadlines while documenting events as they unfold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, the advert stated that experience was not mandatory, saying even a willing learner would be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the risks described in the job listing, hundreds of young Kenyans still applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur youth are not afraid. They are not broken. They are simply unemployed and desperate for opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senator used the numbers from the job applications to question the effectiveness of government initiatives meant to tackle youth unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pointed to the NYOTA Programme, a national initiative aimed at creating opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senator questioned the impact of the program, arguing that if it was working well, a single entry-level job would not attract hundreds of applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen 600 young people are battling for a single opportunity, how can the government claim success?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senator thanked all the 576 applicants for showing interest in the position and said their applications reflect the huge talent that exists among Kenya\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said his office would keep the applications as part of a talent pool that could be considered for future opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery application we received reflects the immense potential that exists within our young generation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senator added that his office will continue advocating for policies that create more opportunities for young people across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Out of the 576 applications received, 533 were from male applicants while 43 were from women.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13976,"featured_media":795720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6760,1,4625,26],"tags":[48126,1981,11341,491],"coauthors":[1753],"class_list":["post-795717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jobs","category-kenya","category-national-news","category-top-stories","tag-576-applicants-for-one-job-in-kenya","tag-featured","tag-karungo-wa-thangwa-2","tag-kenya"],"yoast_head":"\n