Narok: In order to modernize agriculture and address youth unemployment, MAACOM Charity, in partnership with Maasai Mara University and the KCB Foundation, has launched a fully sponsored six-month agribusiness training program targeting 100 young people from vulnerable backgrounds across Narok County. The program, unveiled during an official registration ceremony in Narok East, will equip participants from all 30 wards with practical skills in sustainable farming, artificial intelligence (AI), and agribusiness.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative seeks to empower the youth with modern tools for income generation and self-reliance in the agricultural sector. Senator Ledama Ole Kina, founder of MAACOM Charity, emphasized the urgent need to channel young people's interest in digital technologies toward productive ends. 'Our youth have immense potential but are often using AI and social media for the wrong reasons. This program will help shift their focus and train them to lead in agricultural innovation,' he said.
The senator also raised concern over growing levels of youth unemployment and digital addiction in the region. He noted that the initiative is designed to transform harmful digital habits into entrepreneurial opportunities by providing market-ready, technical skills. Professor Peninnah Aloo Abudho, Vice Chancellor of Maasai Mara University, welcomed the collaboration, highlighting its relevance to Kenya's evolving job market. 'This partnership allows us to skill the youth in areas that directly address job market demands. Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, we're integrating AI with practical agribusiness training to prepare them for the future,' she said.
The curriculum will cover advanced agricultural technologies such as machine learning, satellite imaging, mobile agricultural apps, and AI-driven systems for smart irrigation, crop disease detection, market forecasting, and supply chain optimization. Brian Matara, business manager at KCB Narok, noted that the bank's role is to support youth as they transition from informal farming to structured agribusiness. 'We aim to empower them with technical skills and certification to grow microenterprises into viable businesses,' said Matara.
To further enhance the participants' entrepreneurial potential, MAACOM Charity will run an additional one-month marketing boot camp focused on branding, business development, and market access strategies. Among the program's first beneficiaries is 24-year-old Gloria Seneyia from Kilgoris, who was unable to pursue university education after high school. 'I am eager to learn how AI can transform farming. I plan to pursue higher education after this,' she said.
The initiative is closely aligned with Kenya's broader digital economy and agricultural transformation agenda. There are already plans to replicate the program in other counties, scaling its impact nationally. As Kenya continues to embrace smart farming and innovation, the program stands as a model for public-private collaboration aimed at empowering youth, reducing unemployment, and modernizing the agricultural landscape.