Kajiado: At least 785 trainees will benefit from this year's Vijana Tujiajiri program in Kajiado through a joint partnership between the KCB Foundation and the County Government of Kajiado. Kajiado Governor, Joseph ole Lenku, stated that the initiative provides young people with technical skills, job creation opportunities, and pathways to self-employment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Lenku addressed the trainees at the Isinya Vocational Training Centre, noting that the youth have a unique chance to advance themselves by creating opportunities for the future. He emphasized that despite the harsh economic conditions many Kenyans face, this program aims to alleviate their suffering and expand its reach in the future. The county also plans to introduce programs aligned with its transformation agenda, including modulated pastoralism and livable towns, while incorporating current trends like artificial intelligence and robotics.
The first phase of the program will run for three years, with plans to increase beneficiaries to 1,500. This expansion is intended to help more youth gain life skills, employ themselves, and create jobs for others. The governor also expressed optimism that the national government's affordable housing program will provide more employment opportunities for young people.
Joblin Omari, KCB Foundation Head of Programs, highlighted the initiative's focus on technical and vocational training across six economic pillars, including hospitality, construction, mechanics, and agriculture. Omari stated that the program equips vulnerable and out-of-school youth with market-ready skills, offering practical exposure through industrial attachments, life skills, and work readiness. This approach aims to bridge the gap between learning and earning.
Omari further noted that under the program, 150,000 jobs have already been created and supported, with thousands of youths benefiting from trade-specific toolkits, business development support, and employment linkages. He encouraged trainees to seize the opportunity with courage and determination, emphasizing the importance of learning, experimenting, networking, and believing in their potential.
The program, jointly funded by the KCB Foundation and the County Government of Kajiado, will cost Sh40 million. Isinya Senior Deputy County Commissioner, Michael Yator, commented on the high unemployment levels in the country, expressing hope that the program will help reduce the number of jobless youths. He affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that all candidates transition to higher education levels to gain transformative skills.
A success story from a former beneficiary, Benson Meoli, an electrical installation graduate of the first cohort in Kajiado, illustrates the program's impact. Meoli shared that he is now self-employed and has hired five people in his company, thanks to the skills he gained. He encouraged youth to embrace vocational training, highlighting the many opportunities available for those who are hardworking and self-motivated.