Isiolo residents smile as Guyo launches youth, women’S plan

Japhet Ng’olua, a youth from Isiolo Central, has been unemployed for almost one year.

He was unable to provide for his young family and hence vulnerable to crime and drug abuse.

However,  a new dawn came for Ng’olua last Friday as he was one of the beneficiaries of Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo’s empowerment programme.

He received a motorbike, which he said will be a key in transforming his life.

“I’m so lucky that I’m among those who will benefit from the empowerment programme,” Ng’olua said.

“I will use the motorbike to conduct business, which in turn will help me put food on the table.”

The empowerment programme aims to help women and youth fend for their families, while also providing employment opportunities.

To boost employment, Guyo distributed two Nissan passenger vehicles, 100 motorbikes, four tuk-tuks, 100 sewing machines, 100 hairdressing/salon equipment, 30 shaving machines and 10 car wash pumps and water storage tanks.

These were issued to selected youths and women in Isiolo Central subcounty.

Addressing the residents at Isiolo police grounds, Guyo said his administration was committed to deliver on the promises he made prior to his election.

“This is just the beginning. It is my own way of giving back to society, and I can assure you the empowerment programme will be launched in other places under my regime,” he said.

The governor said the items were bought with his own money even before he was elected governor in the August 2022 elections.

He explained that the items were already bought even before he declared his interest in becoming Isiolo’s third governor.

Susan Kathure, who operates a salon, hailed the programme, saying it will go a long way in helping them provide for their families.

She said the equipment she received will boost her work and eventually her business.

“We voted in leaders for years and we never expected this, it’s God-sent,” Kathure said.

“We appreciate our governor. We are requesting that he stay firm and implement all the manifesto items as he pledged.”

Guyo appealed to the beneficiaries against selling the equipment.

Instead, he urged them to fend for themselves and employ others for years to come.

Those who benefited from the motorbikes, tuk-tuks and vehicles will have their log books remain in the custody of the county secretary to deter any transfer of ownership.

The county boss urged Isiolo leaders and those in powerful positions and financially stable to desist from competing with less privileged members of the community for relief opportunities.

He cited bursaries, cash transfers or even programmes similar to the one he just presided over.

“I know of leaders who even list their own family members at the expense of the less privileged in society whenever they are asked to help identify the most vulnerable members of the society,” Guyo said.

“This is a trend and it will stop from today.”

Isiolo county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding praised the programme, saying it is in line with the bottom-up economic transformation model spearheaded by President William Ruto.

He encouraged Guyo to continue working closely with the national government for the benefit of Isiolo residents.

Isiolo speaker Mohamed Qoto asked the beneficiaries to commit themselves to working tirelessly to increase the number of items donated to them by buying more, hence employing more youths in future.

He also called upon them to desist from alcoholism and spending too much time on miraa.   BY THE STAR