Nyandarua: Nyandarua County is set to receive Sh87.5 million from the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme aimed at empowering youth through entrepreneurship.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa announced that the funds will support selected youths across the county to start income-generating ventures. Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Tumaini Town in Mirangine Sub-County, Jaldesa said each of the 25 wards will have 70 youths selected to benefit, with each receiving Sh50,000 from the government.
He emphasized that the initiative would enable young people to engage in productive work and reduce unemployment. 'The total amount will be shared among youths who will be selected for funding through the programme to help them start businesses,' said Jaldesa.
While reading the President's speech, Jaldesa lauded Nyandarua's key contribution to the nation's food security, describing it as one of Kenya's top food baskets. He also commended the county for ranking among the top three nationwide in environmental conservation.
On social welfare, the County Commissioner directed chiefs to intensify efforts to identify orphans, vulnerable children, people with extreme disabilities, and the elderly for enrolment in the government's monthly social empowerment stipend. 'I want chiefs to link such individuals with social development officers so that they can benefit from government support,' he said.
Jaldesa further announced that JM Hospital and Ol Kalou Stadium will be upgraded by the national government, citing strong cooperation between the national and county governments.
Responding to an appeal from the County Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairlady Gladys Wanjiku for assistance in reclaiming a 15-acre piece of land in Ol Kalou town allegedly grabbed from the organization, Jaldesa said he and Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha would follow up on the matter. The land was initially allocated to the organization by the late President Daniel arap Moi.
The administrator expressed concern over rising cases of teenage pregnancies and alcohol abuse in the county but noted that livestock theft cases had dropped significantly following arrests and prosecutions of several suspects.
County Director of Education Nancy Wangui Mutai urged residents to keep off examination centres during the upcoming national examination period. She assured that all examination papers, including KCSE, KELEA, KEPSEA, and KJSEA, were safely stored in examination containers within the county. Wangui also appealed to parents to closely monitor their children during the holiday season to curb cases of teenage pregnancies.
Governor Kiarie Badilisha called on residents of Tumaini Town to allocate land for public amenities, including a playground, public toilet, and stage. He pledged to provide funds for the purchase of the land and urged local leaders to expedite the process.
The Governor also highlighted various infrastructure projects completed since 2022, particularly road upgrades, and paid tribute to celebrated Nyandarua-born artists and athletes such as musicians Samidoh (Samuel Muchoki), Joseph Kamaru Gatutura, Wangari wa Kabera, and sports legends John Ngugi, Julius Kariuki, Catherine Ndereba, and the late Samuel Wanjiru for bringing pride to the county.
The event was attended by area MCA Thuo Gachino, County Assembly Majority Leader Mwangi Nyanga, and nominated MCA Milka Nyambura.