Kirinyaga County is launching a major youth empowerment drive, the Tupange Kesho Program, aiming to equip over 2,000 young people with skills and capital. The initiative is backed by a 15 million shillings grant from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), which provides non-repayable grants for income-generating activities.
A significant portion of the funding, 10 million shillings, has already been disbursed to youth groups across all 20 wards in the county. Groups received between Sh100,000 and Sh300,000 based on their project proposals.
A key educational component involves 5.85 million shillings to fully sponsor 500 youths to enroll in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through the INNET Program, in partnership with Equity Bank.
Organizers state the program is designed to economically uplift youth, reduce unemployment, and provide sustainable alternatives. It focuses on granting dignity through skills and capital, moving away from dependency. Beyond funding, the program includes mentorship components, encouraging youth to actively participate in community development and leadership.
Calls were made for increased national budget allocation, specifically for youth empowerment and for attracting investors to establish industries in rural areas. This, it was noted, would create jobs for TVET graduates and reduce urban migration.
The initiative has been welcomed as a critical opportunity for direct youth engagement and support. It has also sparked calls for the strengthened support of educational bursaries to aid learners across the county.