USA Ambassador to Kenya MacCarter is a man under fire over his remarks where he urged Kenyan youths to emulate the US Microsoft Founder Bill Gates in creating jobs for themselves in the fight against unemployment.
McCarter was endorsing Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks on Friday where he lectured Kenyans on degrees and exams, citing examples of rich men who never went to university but made it in life for following their dreams.
In his Twitter post, the US Ambassador argued that owning a masters degree does not increase anyone’s chances of acquiring well-paying jobs.
“H.E. is right. One more masters degree does not necessarily improve your chances of a well paying job. Vijana, if you don’t see a way forward don’t run away. Jitafutie njia ya kuwa Jobs or Gates wa Kenya”, read his Twitter post.
H.E. is right. One more masters degree does not necessarily improve your chances of a well paying job. Vijana, if you don’t see a way forward don’t run away. Jitafutie njia ya kuwa Jobs or Gates wa Kenya. pic.twitter.com/cSjsbfRpde
— Ambassador Kyle McCarter (@USAmbKenya) August 17, 2019
But Kenyans are not buying any of the narratives as they pointed out the lack of similarities.
Activist Boniface Mwangi in a harsh rejoinder lectured Mccarter claiming that his call is similar to a mock as the majority of the world richest came from well 0f families of parents who supported their dreams unlike in Kenya where most school-going children lack basic needs like food and security.
“Why are you trolling Kenyans @USAmbKenya ?Bill Gates and Steve Jobs had well off parents, they didn’t have to worry about three meals a day, getting shot dead because they’re poor, and their parents taxes weren’t stolen!Your logic and Uhuru’s, same Wozzap group, false equivalence,” read Boniface Mwangi’s Tweet.
Why are you trolling Kenyans @USAmbKenya?Bill Gates and Steve Jobs had well off parents, they didn't have to worry about three meals a day, getting shot dead because they're poor, and their parents taxes weren't stolen!Your logic and Uhuru's, same Wozzap group, false equivalence. https://t.co/q1e7m6bbfA pic.twitter.com/KDXc7PkwPq
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) August 17, 2019
Here are more reactions from Kenyans;
You are here patronising us because you got an education. I know it’s scary to elites when the holloi polloi pursue and Excel in education. Tell your kids not to take your grandchildren to those elite schools and they enrol for gymnastics or ballet
— Muthee Michuri (@tichamuthee) August 17, 2019
Dropping out of Harvard cannot be compared to dropping out of Onyalo biro
— Paul. R. O. Sewe (@SewePaul20) August 17, 2019
Gates and Jobs have both a conducive environment that encourages innovation unlike Kenya where looting is encouraged and kick backs is the only way!. They kill you with taxes and are intimidated by success!.
— Clmi xidig suldaan (@CSuldaan) August 17, 2019
Mr. Ambassador. Stop embarrassing yourself.
We all know Gates and Jobs were from well off families with and went to high end universities.
They quit coz they had actualised their dreams.— Gaijin (@Bbtedd) August 17, 2019
Well, I doubt that we’d have a Bezos, Gates, or Buffet etc. If their parents were uneducated and unemployed. This is putting the cart before the horse.
— Shavajai-ji (@FQShav) August 17, 2019
Mr Ambassador please don’t join the bandwagon of telling our youths to create jobs . Corruption overseen by this corrupt government is chocking every sector , heavy taxation they will now be taxing us for using apps which is unheard of .
— nicht (@therealgakio) August 17, 2019
Enhe? 😊 pic.twitter.com/NyVTS9iwXv
— Gathoni (@I_am_Gathoni) August 17, 2019
Balozi, I don’t think there’s anything to celebrate from President’s remarks. This is usual evasive defence of a failed leader. Kenya badly misses retired President Mwai Kibaki. He not only revolutionized the economy but was very inspiring in his speeches.
— KISIKA SAM (@KISIKASAM) August 17, 2019