YORA Summit 2026: Skills gap and generational disconnect undermine graduate employability in Kenya, employers urged to invest in internships

Employers in Kenya have been urged to invest more in internships, practical training and entry-level recruitment to close the gap between academic qualifications and workplace expectations.

The call was made by Betty Mutua, HR and Strategy Consultant at BM Azure Solutions, Nairobi, during a roundtable on employment and workforce development at the YORA 2026 Summit.

The discussion highlighted the mismatch between graduates’ skills and employers’ needs, along with generational differences over workplace expectations, internship stipends and career development.

Mutua highlighted the importance of giving young people opportunities to gain practical experience rather than requiring extensive work experience from candidates entering the job market.

“We need a situation where more employers are interested in hiring at the internship level, so that people come to learn the jobs they are preparing for,” the speaker said.

He noted that workplace experience does not always transfer directly between organizations because companies operate under different systems and cultures.

“You may know how to do the job for one company, but you can’t do it for another because the cultures are different,” he said.

The discussion also examined disagreements between employers and young job seekers over internship stipends.

Mutua noted that younger applicants are increasingly evaluating opportunities based on their immediate financial needs, while some employers emphasize the long-term value of workplace exposure.

“When I advertise for an internship position and say I will pay a stipend of 15,000, they quickly attack me and say 15,000 is too little,” he said, without specifying the currency.

He argued that internships should provide structured learning and practical experience that strengthen graduates’ resumes and improve their job prospects.

However, the discussion also highlighted the need for employers to clearly communicate stipends, responsibilities and learning opportunities.

Speakers called for closer collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to help graduates translate academic knowledge into job skills.

They also highlighted mentoring and structured entry-level programs as ways to develop talent and address skills shortages.

The central message was that improving graduate employability requires employers to invest in the development of young talent while ensuring internship arrangements offer meaningful learning opportunities and realistic working conditions.