In a major win for youth empowerment in Kenya, 50 young people from Meru County have graduated from a transformative vocational training program and received business starter kits, thanks to Save a Youth Africa (SAYA). The initiative is already being celebrated as a practical, high-impact approach to tackling youth unemployment, drug abuse, and teenage pregnancies.
The graduation ceremony, held recently in Meru, marked the completion of intensive hands-on courses designed to equip the beneficiaries with market-ready skills, with many expected to start small businesses immediately.
SAYA Founder and Director Elias Kathurima emphasised that the program’s impact extends far beyond the graduates themselves.
According to Kathurima, the initiative is a strategic intervention designed to alleviate the growing social and economic pressures facing young people in Meru and neighbouring counties.
“These graduates will not only empower themselves but also their community,” he said. “They are a living reflection of the positive change that can come from small, intentional interventions.”
He further called on government agencies, NGOs, and local well-wishers to scale up support for such initiatives. Kathurima emphasised that sustained collaboration is crucial for expanding the reach of vocational training programs and reducing the socioeconomic vulnerabilities affecting Kenyan youth.
Chief Guest Fatuma Abdi, Assistant County Commissioner, commended SAYA for its commitment to youth empowerment.
She noted that the 50 trainees were equipped in high-demand vocational fields, including:
- Tailoring
- Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy
- Barbering
Each graduate received a complete starter kit, enabling them to begin earning immediately—whether through home-based services, mobile operations, or small shops.
Abdi stressed that youth economic empowerment has a direct impact on solving broader social issues in the region.
“With gainful employment, we will see a reduction in drugs and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence,” she said.
The emotional highlight of the event came from the graduates themselves. One young participant shared how the program changed the direction of their life:
“This training has given me more than a skill; it has given me hope and a path to a better future. I am no longer just looking for a job; I am ready to create one for myself and others.”
The SAYA initiative demonstrates how targeted vocational training, combined with starter resources, can ignite sustainable community transformation. By empowering one youth at a time, the program is contributing to:
- Increased youth-led entrepreneurship
- Reduced dependency on formal employment
- Safer communities
- Stronger local economies
Kathurima reaffirmed SAYA’s commitment to training more young people, encouraging those across Meru and beyond to take advantage of upcoming programs.