By Nuru Salim
National Youth Council (NYC) Executive Director, Gloria Waweru, has called on youths in Kwale and across the country to take full advantage of national government initiatives aimed at empowering the youth economically and socially.
Speaking during the WAZO engagement forum in Kwale County, Waweru emphasized that many Kenyan youths are still unaware of available support systems designed to offer financial assistance, capacity building, and job creation.
“Let’s take these government youth opportunities to benefit. Youths can access funding through the Youth Fund and Uwezo Fund which offers loans and even grants to the youths. Through the WAZO initiative, we want youth to know where these opportunities are and how to get them,” Waweru said.
She added that the NYOTA Project, a flagship program under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, is specifically tailored for youth aged 18 to 29, with a provision for youth with disabilities up to 35 years. Through this program, youths can apply for loans, grants and certification for prior learning.
“There are a lot of opportunities that youths can leverage in and as NYC, we are committed to enabling and amplifying youth voices, and ensuring they secure jobs and generate income,” she added.
Her sentiments were echoed by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who urged Kenyan youth to abandon the culture of dependency and instead engage fully with government-supported empowerment programs.
“The government has initiated several programs under the leadership of President Ruto, including labor mobility schemes, the Youth Fund, Jitume, and digital jobs, all of which are designed to uplift the lives of young people,” said Mvurya.
The CS noted that with youth unemployment on the rise, especially in counties like Kwale, there is an urgent need for youth to position themselves and tap into these transformative initiatives.
At the heart of this renewed effort is the NYOTA Project, a Sh20 billion initiative spearheaded by the Ministry in partnership with the World Bank. The five-year project targets 180,000 youth nationwide, with 1,560 expected to benefit from Kwale County alone.
“In the next five years, we have allocated a budget of Sh20 billion meant for the youths. Kwale will produce 280 youths with prior learning and skills who will be educated and awarded certificates. An additional 1,280 young entrepreneurs will be trained and each provided with a Sh50,000 grant to boost their businesses,” Mvurya announced.
He further disclosed that the government is working towards institutionalizing youth representation by introducing youth elections from ward to national level, a move he said would ensure youth voices are effectively reflected in policy-making and governance.
“I want to assure the youths of this country that we are in good progress. Soon, we will be conducting youth elections so that young people can elect their own representatives starting from the ward level, sub-county, county and national,” he stated.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani called on the Ministry to intensify outreach in remote areas, where many young people remain unaware of government opportunities.
“Kwale has a large number of youths that need sensitization. The youth department in Kwale needs to visit the interior and provide information on these opportunities. We want the person in charge of the youth department to understand the needs of Kwale youth and also promote their talents.” She said.
The government has also made strides in promoting youth talent, with talent academies launched in Taru and Matuga, and an additional 35 academies set to be established across the country at a total cost of Sh1.7 billion. These institutions are expected to focus on nurturing sports talent, including football and netball.
As part of this empowerment drive, over 700 youths from different parts of Kwale County were sensitized.
