Nyeri County is advancing community welfare and youth empowerment through key infrastructure and training programmes, addressing both immediate needs and long-term employability.
The County Government of Nyeri has commissioned a major borehole in Burguret village, Kieni East, set to transform lives in the drought-prone region. The project, implemented by the Department of Water, Irrigation, Environment and Climate Change, will serve over 500 households.
With a capacity of 8,000 litres per hour, supported by solar power, storage tanks, and a pipeline network, the borehole will provide water for domestic use and irrigation, enhancing both water and food security.
In parallel, 250 youth from five informal settlements in Nyeri have been selected for a transformative 45-day socio-emotional and skills training under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
Implemented via the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Support Programme (KISIP II), the training prioritizes vulnerable youth aged 18–35, including former labour-intensive public works participants, persons with disabilities, and those with low formal education.
A key component is the integration of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), which allows experienced but uncertified individuals to earn nationally recognised credentials.
The County, led by Governor Mutahi Kahiga, has pledged to link graduates with:
– National Employment Authority (NEA) – for job matching.
– State Department for Labour – for labour market information.
– Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) – for business startup support.
Beneficiaries will also receive a one-year waiver of trade licenses and business capacity-building support to improve enterprise survival rates.
This initiative reflects a broader national commitment, highlighted by President William Ruto, to invest in human capital through vocational and craft-based training, aiming to reach 820,000 youth under NYOTA nationwide.