Makueni: 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 eligible to apply will have a form four certificate and below.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS noted that those who intend to benefit from the programme will send their applications online by April 30, 2025, and will be trained locally, receiving a stipend of Sh 6,000 for the six-month training period. The programme is in collaboration with the World Bank (WB) for five years, with a budget of Sh 20 billion. In Makueni, 1,740 youths are targeted to benefit.
The youths will benefit through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project (NYOTA), a collaboration between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank. The engagement forums aim to ensure youths are informed about various government programmes that they can benefit from.
Additionally, Mvurya revealed that a total of 1,950 youths in Makueni County will also be trained and thereafter receive a grant of Sh 50,000 each to start their own business. He encouraged youths to seize the opportunity and warned against expecting benefits without applying.
Mvurya also cautioned youths against wasting time on unproductive online activities and encouraged them to use social media for beneficial ventures, especially in combating poverty.
Makueni County Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili praised the national government for the Wazo initiative, which empowers youth by providing information about government programmes. She urged youths to take advantage of different government initiatives to develop themselves and to educate others in grassroots areas.
Makueni Constituency Member of Parliament Susan Kiamba urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to increase funds in the Uwezo and Youth Funds to help youths start businesses and alleviate poverty. Makueni County Commissioner Duncan Darusi challenged youths to actively participate in government initiatives and invest for the future.
Present at the function were PS Youth Affairs, Creative Economy Mr. Ismael Maalim Madey, his Sports counterpart Mwangi, County Executive Committee Member Gender, Children and Sports Eng. Sabastian Kyoni, national and county government officials, among others.