More than 1,300 young people in Buuri Constituency have completed vocational training under the Ujuzi Mashinani Programme, as part of a major effort to tackle youth unemployment through practical skills development and enterprise support.
The programme was implemented by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) in partnership with the area Member of Parliament, Mugambi Rindikiri.
A total of 1,320 beneficiaries graduated after undergoing business and technical training designed to prepare them for employment and entrepreneurship.
Startup Tools for Youth Groups
In a departure from traditional training-only programmes, the initiative also equipped 40 youth enterprise groups with startup toolkits to help them transition directly into self-employment.
The tools distributed included:
- Sewing machines
- Salon and beauty kits
- Welding equipment
- Electrical tools
- Vehicle diagnostic machines
- Mobile food vending units
The support is expected to help beneficiaries launch income-generating businesses immediately.
Beyond Training: Creating Livelihoods
Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Buuri, MSEA Director General Henry Rithaa said youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest economic challenges.
He noted that skills training alone is often not enough if graduates lack capital, tools, and access to markets.
“Training without access to equipment and startup support often fails to translate into sustainable livelihoods,” he emphasized.
Challenges Still Remain
While many young entrepreneurs in Meru have already benefited from startup capital initiatives, Rithaa noted that:
- Limited market access
- Weak business sustainability
- Lack of growth financing
continue to hinder long-term success for many youth-led enterprises.
Graduates Optimistic
Beneficiaries welcomed the programme, saying the combination of practical skills and tools gives them a real opportunity to earn a living.
For many graduates, the next step is to convert their training into thriving businesses that can support families, create jobs, and uplift communities.
Skills as a Solution to Unemployment
The Buuri initiative reflects growing national recognition that grassroots vocational training and enterprise support are key to addressing youth joblessness.
Programmes such as Ujuzi Mashinani are increasingly seen as complementary to formal TVET institutions by reaching youth directly in communities and equipping them with marketable skills.
If sustained, such initiatives could play a critical role in building a generation of self-reliant youth entrepreneurs.