Top 20 worst diploma courses in Kenya

You might have heard people talk about “the worst diploma courses,” but let’s clear this up. There’s no such thing as a “worst” diploma course! However, some courses may have limited job opportunities after graduation, which makes them less appealing to certain job seekers.
In this post, we’ll go over what people usually mean when they say “worst diploma courses.” These are diplomas that apply to fewer industries or are in lower demand in Kenya’s current job market.
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Let’s take a closer look so you can make a smart choice about your education path.
Top 20 worst diploma courses in kenya
- Meteorology
- Mass Media
- Chemical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Criminology
- Library Sciences
- Animal Science
- Environmental Science
- Commerce
- Sales and Marketing
- Applied Mathematics
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Agribusiness
- Hospitality Management
- Forestry
- Gender Studies
- Horticulture
- Sociology
- Cooperative Management
Meteorology
Meteorology is a field with limited job opportunities in Kenya. There are only a few weather stations, and the government pays minimal attention to this sector.
This lack of investment means job openings are rare, making it possible to “tarmac” for years, even decades, after graduation.
Mass Media
Mass media may seem exciting, but getting a job in this field is difficult, even with a diploma or degree. Many of Kenya’s well-known journalists, like Jalang’o, Jeff Koinange, and Wilbroda, never studied mass media.
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Talent is what counts here, not qualifications. Employers look for people with natural storytelling skills and the ability to attract an audience.
Without these talents, finding success in mass media can be a real challenge.
Chemical Engineering
In Kenya, Chemical Engineering has limited job opportunities.Despite the effort required to complete this challenging course, employment chances after graduation are only around 5%.
Many graduates find themselves with impressive credentials but no job prospects.
While this field may offer more opportunities in other countries, local demand remains low. Choose courses with proven job markets before committing to avoid disappointment.
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry presents limited job options in Kenya. Graduates often find roles only in school or hospital labs, handling tasks like arranging specimen bottles.
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The course itself is challenging, with a heavy focus on chemistry, yet it lacks strong career prospects.
Criminology
In Kenya, a diploma in Criminology offers few job opportunities. The field is narrow, and most roles are in government, making it competitive to secure employment.
Graduates often struggle to find jobs directly related to criminology and may end up in unrelated roles or pursuing further studies.
While criminology might sound appealing, in practice, it has limited applications and career paths in Kenya.
Library Sciences
Most roles are confined to schools, universities, and government institutions.
However, the number of available positions is low, and competition is high.
Many graduates struggle to find stable employment and often have to rely on part-time or temporary roles.
Animal Science
Opportunities in the agricultural sector are scarce. Most positions are filled by county governments, which rarely post job vacancies.
If you do manage to find a job, the pay is often low, making it difficult to earn a decent income.
Environmental Science
Many graduates find it hard to secure stable positions, as the demand for environmental specialists is low.
Most jobs in this field are concentrated in non-governmental organizations or government agencies, which have limited vacancies.
Commerce
Commerce is a marketable course, but it is highly saturated in Kenya.
Graduates often struggle with job placement, and some even question the value of post-secondary education due to the challenges.
However, having strong connections can increase your chances of securing a job.
Sales and Marketing
Success in sales and marketing relies more on talent than formal qualifications.
Many successful brokers and marketers never studied the course. What truly matters is the ability to connect with people, communicate effectively, and drive results.
While education can help, it’s skills and natural ability that often lead to success in this field.
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics has limited job opportunities in Kenya. The field is not widely applicable across industries. Most graduates end up teaching in technical schools, where the demand is relatively low.
Business Administration
Business Administration is a popular course, but it often requires work experience to land a role. Many companies prefer hiring individuals with practical experience, leaving fresh graduates struggling to find jobs.
Without experience, it’s difficult to step into roles such as a business administrator.
If you’re pursuing this course, consider internships or entry-level positions to build your experience and improve your chances of getting hired.
Conclusion
These are some of the worst diploma courses in Kenya.
As you can see, each has its challenges and limited opportunities.
However, these are courses you should avoid if you’re looking for stable career prospects.
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
Have you pursued any of these courses?
What was your experience?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.