Wavinya Ndeti says trades like plumbing and masonry outpay white-collar jobs
By Cy Muganda, August 10, 2025Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has challenged traditional career perceptions, arguing that skilled trades like plumbing, masonry, and dressmaking often offer better financial returns than conventional white-collar employment.
Speaking in Homa Bay on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Ndeti criticised the belief that success is only achieved through formal university education followed by white-collar employment, urging youths to consider technical skills as viable and lucrative career options.
“When we were growing up, we were taught about the blue-collar jobs—you go to university, you finish, you get employed. It is high time we told our youth that they can also start something and employ others, and also look at the technical skills,” Ndeti stated.
Tax-free earnings
The governor cited tradespeople trained through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as examples of individuals who often earn more than office workers.
“If you look at plumbers or masons or dressmakers through TVETs, those people get paid very well, more than those people in the offices,” she explained.
According to Ndeti, such earnings can exceed the take-home pay of many salaried workers once tax deductions are factored in.
“If a fundi is being paid Ksh1,500 or Ksh1,000 a day, this multiplied by 30 days is money they get without any taxes,” she added.
Financial independence
She further emphasised that young people should not feel pressured to chase scarce white-collar positions when other paths to financial independence exist.
“We should just let our youths know that there are other things you can do and make more money than looking for these white-collar jobs, going to the offices and that,” she said.
The governor added that county governments have a role to play in promoting self-reliance among young people by supporting this career shift.
“We need our youth to understand that they do not need to get employed to take care of themselves, and we as governors should try and help them,” she remarked.