CS Mvurya: Government sets aside Sh20b to equip Kenyan youth with job-ready skills

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya speaking at Kibabii University. [Photo/Juliet Omelo] Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, has announced that the government has set aside Sh20 billion to support youth skills development programmes, a key focus of the newly launched Wazo Engagement Forum. This initiative, introduced by the National Youth Service (NYS), aims to directly engage young people with policymakers, providing a platform to voice concerns, ask questions, and explore opportunities for growth. The forum, held at Kibabii University, brought together young minds to empower them to recognise their strengths, set tangible goals, and work towards personal and professional success. Themed "Your Voice, Your Power, Your Future," the event sought to inspire youth to take ownership of their futures while encouraging innovation and growth in Kenya's evolving economy. Speaking at the event, CS Mvurya emphasised that the Sh20 billion investment is a critical part of the government's strategy to equip young people with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly digital and competitive world. The funds will support various skill-building initiatives, with a particular focus on enhancing the country's digital economy. "Through this investment, we aim to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape," Mvurya said. "We have the Youth Enterprise Fund, which offers business opportunities to young entrepreneurs, and the Nyota Project, which provides training resources to enhance career development. But we are ready to do even more to ensure our youth have the opportunities they need to succeed." The government also plans to establish digital hubs across the country to provide young people with access to online job opportunities. Additionally, the Youth Fund and Absa Fund will continue offering financial support to entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their businesses. Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka praised the government's commitment to prioritising youth development. He reaffirmed his administration's support for young people, particularly through the 30% government procurement rule, which ensures youth-led businesses have access to tenders and government contracts. While commending these efforts, Lusaka acknowledged the challenges young entrepreneurs face, particularly in securing financing for their ventures. "Many young people lack the capital needed to secure business deals," Lusaka noted. "We need to push for Local Purchase Order (LPO) financing to bridge this gap. I encourage youth to come forward; we will engage with banks to ensure that once you have an LPO, you can access the financing you need." Lusaka further urged young people to be proactive in their pursuits. "Opportunities often come disguised as challenges, hard work, or even failures," he said. "The most successful people in the world did not wait for opportunities-they created them." Despite these positive developments, concerns remain over bureaucratic barriers that continue to hinder youth access to government tenders and job opportunities. Kanduyi Member of Parliament (MP) John Makali expressed frustration over the slow pace of change in these areas and called for greater government outreach to simplify processes and better support young people in accessing available resources. Makali also highlighted the low uptake of government-sponsored training programmes in his constituency, noting that, out of the 149 youth groups trained, only 24 applied for funding. "We need to find better ways to engage youth and ensure they take full advantage of the resources available," he said.

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