Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti today launched the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme

dubbed Machakos Youth Service which is aimed at empowering the youths with life skills, technical and entrepreneurial skills to navigate the challenges of a dynamic 21st Century.

The Governor inaugurated the first cohort of 1000 youths at the Machakos Youth Service center domiciled at the Agricultural Training Center in Machakos.

Two fully-equpped ‘Barracks’ for male and female,a dinning hall and washrooms have been recently built by the County Government to accommodate the recruits.

The youths drawn from the 40 Wards in the County will be boarded at the MYS Center for 21 days after which they will proceed to five Tertiary and Vocational Training Institutions (TVET) within the County where they will gain more skills and graduate after four months.

Thereafter,the youths will be facilitated with capital to venture into business in a partnership signed between the County Government of Machakos and the Kenya Commercial Bank.

Speaking at the launch ceremony,Governor Wavinya said the programme will admit two cohorts of 1000 youths each per financial year.

She said the youth empowerment programme will enable the youths to avoid exploitation by politicians during election time.

“Youth empowerment is not giving our children handouts in every election cycle.

Youth empowerment is not about mobilizing our children to cause chaos every now and then.

Youth empowerment is equipping our children with skills and knowledge that will propel them into career path platforms that will enable them to succeed in life,”said Governor Wavinya.

Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko said the National Youth Service cannot absorb everyone and that the MYS will bridge the gap.

She said the recruits will learn life-transforming skills at the Boot camp which are not taught in other formal institutions.

“This will help you in building patriotism so that you become the best in whatever you do while serving your country Kenya. I urge other Governors to emulate,” said Ouko.

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi urged other development partners to support the County in rolling out such programmes.

Peace Mwikali, one of the recruits, thanked the governor for the transformative programme saying education beyond secondary school has been rare for many needy residents.

The County Government is providing the youths with uniform,hot meals, and personal effects like tissue paper and soap for free while at the MYS.