By Elijah Gichunge
Picture; Phoebe Okall

Governor Kiraitu has once again reiterated that his sole reason to start MYS, a youth empowerment program a year ago, was to address the National youth question by liberating Meru youth from poverty, apathy, hopelessness and drug abuse.

The Governor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Titus Ntuchiu during the issuance of Electrician, Masonry, Welding and Plumbing tool to 77 graduates, courtesy of KCB Foundation yesterday evening, said his government would continue growingthe partnership and also seek more, to improve on the county's youth employability.

Through a successful partnership between the County Government and KCB Foundation, the program got a Sh.50 million support to empower the trainees through skills and enterprise development. In extension, KCB partnering with GIZ, a German Corporation has seen 77 of 600 who trained at Meru National Polytechnic(MNP) equipped with trade tools.
Kiraitu however coutioned them against undertaking contracts without written contractual agreement as this would be a loophole for duping.

KCB Foundation MD, Jane Mwangi KCB Foundation MD Jane Mwangi, hailed the Governor for his commitment to address the youth question in the County by initiating the historic MYS program. She was impressed to note that the 77 were registered as micro business whichare also expected to create employment opportunities for about 7700 more youth. She said the foundation has assigned them a lawyer, an accountant and a markete to offer them with a 12 month business support. The team is also assured of business Start up capital.

As one of the commitment to sustain the program the governor and his deputy promised to consider the MYS in employment, and contractual opportunities throug the sh.20 million Ward Development Fund (WDF) based projects. Already the governor had issued a directive that contracts on WDF projects be offered to people eith relevant sills in respective wards in which they are implemented.

On his part, Ntuchiu asserted that the government will find out a mechanism to sustain the program including helping them benefit from the 30% government procurement opportunities meant for youth, women and PWDs, even as the KCB Foundation offer them business support.

Meru National Polytechnic through the Principal Geoffrey Rukunga has promised more than 50 building and construction work opportunities in the institution.

https://www.facebook.com/MeruCountyGovernmentwebsite/videos/522287208575309/?t=47