Murang'a: Hundreds of youths in Murang'a County have successfully completed their artisan courses, courtesy of the Murang'a Youth Service (MYS). The initiative is aimed at reducing unemployment by empowering the youth with skills for self-employment and creating employment opportunities for others.
According to Kenya News Agency, the colorful MYS 3rd cohort graduation ceremony at Kimorori grounds, Maragua subcounty, saw over 700 youths receive certificates and seed capital of Sh15,000 to enable them to start businesses. The event was graced by Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, and Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o, amongst other leaders from the county and beyond.
Speaking during the ceremony, Murang'a governor Irungu Kang'ata observed that the initiative, currently on its 5th Cohort, has so far benefited over 5,200 youths who have been engaged in community and environmental work for two months before being enrolled in a vocational training center for three months. 'In the two months of training, we give them a daily stipend of Sh500 but deduct Sh100, which goes to their parents to ensure they also benefit from this program,' he said. 'Those who wish to start businesses after completing the courses receive Sh15,000 seed capital to start those businesses and many of them are already earning a livelihood,' he added.
Kang'ata revealed that the youths who will start businesses will receive a year tax exemption certificate to further support their ventures. On his part, the Chief Justice Emeritus, while lauding the youth program, urged all the graduates to empower themselves through the skills gained, shun anti-social behaviors like substance abuse, and hold the hands of others for an empowered society.
Maraga noted that the youth constitute the biggest chunk of the country's population, yet they remain disadvantaged when it comes to accessing economic opportunities and the pathway to prosperity. 'If we take care of the youth, they will cater for the generations to come, but very few youths have access to the ladder of opportunity,' he added. He emphasized the importance of youth policies to empower the youth, particularly targeting those most vulnerable, including those with disabilities, those in the streets and out of school, and those afflicted by diseases.
Maraga also urged other leaders to treat nation-building as a sacred duty by abhorring corruption and theft of public resources. The Kisumu governor, on his part, noted that development is about people and choices available to them and that the youth must be empowered for growth. 'Let us remain focused in building a democratic society in which every citizen enjoys a peaceful and prosperous life and a strong sense of identity as Kenyan,' Prof. Nyong'o noted. He also lauded the MYS program for offering industrial training to the youth.
One of the graduates from the 2nd cohort is 26-year-old Sabina Wanjiru, who is currently running her own beauty salon. A true testament of the initiative, Wanjiru is now earning a livelihood, not only for herself, but she is also taking care of her parents. 'I was recruited into the youth service, where the main duty was environmental cleaning and keeping the city centers clean; after two months, I was sponsored to pursue a certificate course in hairdressing at the Kiharu vocational training center, and after completion, I received Sh15,000 to start a business,' she said. Using the seed capital, Wanjiru was able to purchase basic salon essentials and open a salon, which is running up to date, thanks to the Murang'a Youth Service.