The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has targeted 1,740 youths in Makueni County with an aim of equipping them with skills to become self-reliant.
Speaking on Wednesday at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Wote Campus, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, disclosed that the youths who will be eligible to apply will have a form four certificate and below.
Consequently, the CS noted that those who intend to benefit from the programme, will send their applications online by April 30,2025 while saying that they will be trained locally and will receive a stipend of Sh 6,000 for six months the period they will undergo the training.
“We have a programme in collaboration with the World Bank (WB) for five years and have a budget of Sh 20 billion. In Makueni we have targeted 1,740 youths to benefit from the programme,” said Mvurya during the Wazo Youth Engagement Forum at KMTC.
“Already we have advertised the programme and youths need to send their applications online by 30th April, 2025. Those who will succeed will be put on training and stay there for 6 months and will be paid a stipend of Sh 6,000,” he added.
The youths will benefit through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project (NYOTA) that is a collaboration between GOK and WB. The engagement forums to ensure the youths are informed about various programmes of government that they can benefit from.
Additionally, Mvurya revealed that a total of 1,950 youths in makueni County will also be trained and thereafter they will receive a grant of sh 50,000 each to start their own business.
“Our aim is to empower the youth and be self-reliant, take opportunity and apply so that you can benefit. If you think it will follow you at home, then you will miss out,” warned the CS.
Consequently, Mvurya cautioned the youths against wasting their time in sending offence information online and instead encouraged them to use social media in ventures that can benefit them especially in fighting poverty afflicting many.
“Use your youth well. We are in a season of getting information digitally, technology should be a curse to you,” he posed.
On her part, Makueni County deputy Governor Lucy Mulili lauded the national government for the Wazo initiative which she said empowered the youth through provision of information about government programmes.
In this regard, Mulili urged the youths to take advantage of the different government initiatives at the national and county governments in an effort to develop themselves.
“I urge the youths to take this government initiative seriously and apply in order to improve their lives. Also be ambassadors to others in the grass root areas in educating them,” said Mulili.
Speaking at the same event, Makueni Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Susan Kiamba urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to increase monies in the Uwezo and Youth Funds with a view to help the youth uplift their lives.
MS Kiamba noted that it was imperative for the government to increase the monies youths get as loans so that they can start businesses that alleviate poverty among the unemployed youths.
On his part, Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Duncan Darusi challenged the youths to take advantage of government initiatives and invest hence avoid being passive but be involved in government programmes.
“I want to challenge youths, not to be passive and silent listeners, you need to invest for the future,” said Darusi.
Present at the function included PS Youth Affairs, Creative Economy Mr Ismael Maalim Madey and his Sports counterpart Mwangi, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Gender, Children and Sports Eng. Sabastian Kyoni national and county government officials among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi
