Over 500 Students and former students from rift valley institute of science and technology have applauded the government for introducing the JITUME program in TVET institutions which has improved their livelihood through the income they make after working online.
The JITUME program is a youth empowerment initiative that was introduced by the national government in over 120 TVETS across the country.
The program entails getting skills on different online jobs for two months and later on being employed and earning an income on a weekly basis.
Jane Kuria one of the students in the JITUME program narrated that she joined last year in August and went through a 2 months training by the online platform employers and got an online job which has improved her livelihood.
“I earn over sh. 100,000 per month and that has highly assisted me in improving our family livelihood back at home. Right now I am even starting to renovate my mother’s house back at home and I even run a chicken project through the income I get from the JITUME program,” Kuria said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Tony Kiplagat adding that that program has greatly motivated youths in TVETS as it is assisting even those that are coming from poor backgrounds and whose parents cannot afford to settle their fees.
“We really appreciate the government for this as it has assisted us in settling our fees and even assisting our parents back at home,” Kiplagat said.
Kiplagat also urged other youths to apply for JITUME programs in TVETS as it is a game changer to them and an empowerment opportunity.
“The JITUME program is just the best and I call upon youths in TVET institutions to apply for these opportunities. Imagine getting your income directly in your Mpesa number either weekly or monthly,” he said.
However Wanyonyi Emmanuel appealed to the government to assist youths in getting more online employment platforms from foreign countries as a way of assisting youths with employment and eradicating poverty in the country.
“We are greatful with these online employment chances that the government has brought to youths but we are appealing for more online chances to come up from different foreign countries and let the foreign countries reduce restrictions in the jobs platforms so that the jobs can employ more and more youths in the country,” Emmanuel said.
Geoffrey Opile an officer in-charge of JITUME program at Rift valley institute of technology stated that the project has been of great help to students who come from poor background and most of them have assisted their parents in paying their fees.
“This project has even enabled most students to cater for their higher education after their diploma at Rift valley institute of science and technology. Others have managed to pay for their degrees and Masters through JITUME program earnings,” Opilo said.
Paul Komen the deputy principal administration at Rift valley institute of technology also added that the institution even allows other students from other universities to apply for the program through them.
“We also have students from different universities such as Kabarak, Jomo Kenyatta, among others who are also in the program,” he said.
Speaking during a tour at the JITUME hub in Njoro, Nakuru County The government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura said that digital superhighway is one of the 5 pillars in the BETA plan and the government is committed to implementing it.
“We are glad that the project is doing well for the few applicants that succeeded in getting the online jobs. The program has improved livelihood for most youths and their families and the government will get more and more platforms and employment opportunities for the youths in the country so that we can solve the issue of unemployment,” Dr. Mwaura said.
Deputy government spokesperson Mr. Gabriel Muthuma also urged the youths to keep on applying for the online jobs whenever such opportunities arise.
“Take these online jobs seriously. These are opportunities for the youths and therefore take them with seriousness they will empower you and improve your livelihood,” he said.
Hon. Mwanaisha Chidzuga also added that the government is committed in solving the major issue of unemployment to youths, hence different skilled opportunities are introduced to the youths.
“It is upto the youths to have interests and go for these online jobs opportunities that the government is bringing to you and start earning a living. Let us apply on them, get those trainings for 2 or 3 months and work to earn a living,” Chidzuga said.
The office of government spokesperson (OGS) visited JITUME hub in Nakuru County as it is one of the national government project that has been of impact to most of the youths in the area.
