Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga has challenged youthful jobseekers to be innovative and come up with income generating ideas to overcome the unemployment crisis crippling the country.
Speaking at Kamukunji Grounds during the Inaugural Annual Nyeri Youth Summit, the Governor stressed that unless youth embrace creativity and entrepreneurship, the country’s unemployment crisis will remain unresolved.
He noted that while both the County and National Governments can implement initiatives to address youth unemployment, such interventions alone are insufficient.
“The clarion call is for every young person to take initiative and do something for themselves. Problems are not solved by lamenting—they are solved by action. Seek opportunities where others see only obstacles. Engage potential employers, approach financial institutions for startup capital, and advertise your skills to the world. This is the path forward,” Dr. Kahiga advised.
The Governor acknowledged that the County government supports young people through the annual internship program, yet emphasized that the initiative can accommodate only 200 youths. This limitation motivated the creation of the annual Youth Summit, designed to provide a platform for interaction between youth, potential employers, and financial institutions to establish mutually beneficial opportunities.
“This summit is a call to awaken a generation that dreams audaciously and acts decisively. Government, private sector, academia, and young people must collaborate to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth. Let us build an ecosystem that supports innovation, climate resilience, and digital transformation. This summit is not merely an event—it is a movement. It declares that the future of Nyeri and Kenya is being built now, by you, through enterprise, innovation, and service,” he said.
Dr. Kahiga reaffirmed the County government’s commitment to mobilize resources for the summit and beyond, announcing Sh. 3.5 million as seed support while inviting partners to join in fostering youth-led transformation.
With nearly 30 percent of Nyeri’s population comprised of youth, the Governor stressed the need to invest in this group to build a stronger county. He noted that his administration will continue channeling resources into programs that empower young people, such as the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and the Wezesha Fund, to help them launch income-generating ventures.
“My government has placed youth empowerment at the heart of our development agenda. Through deliberate programs and partnerships, we continue to provide opportunities for young people to learn, create, and lead. The Nyeri County Youth and Development Policy remain our blueprint, guiding our efforts to equip youth with tools, mentorship, and spaces they need to thrive,” he stated.
Dr. Kahiga highlighted the impact of existing initiatives. Through the Nyeri County Youth Internship Program, over 1,200 youth have gained labour market experience, with many securing permanent positions within the County government and beyond. Additionally, the Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) has disbursed over Sh70 million to support youth enterprises, facilitating access to affordable financing, asset acquisition, and business growth.
The Governor underscored the crucial role of the private sector in youth empowerment, noting that transformative change cannot be achieved by government alone. He assured continued collaboration with private institutions to develop practical solutions addressing the county’s challenges.
“Real transformation requires collective action from government, private sector, civil society, development partners, and faith-based organizations. We are deeply grateful to partners such as ICT Authority of Kenya, ABDP, CREAW, SHOFCO, NSDCC, Equity Bank, Kingdom Bank, and World Vision, whose support for startups, innovation hubs, youth programs, and apprenticeships is turning dreams into reality,” he said.
Dr. Kahiga also addressed emerging risks affecting young people, particularly cyberbullying and sextortion. He warned that online harassment is increasingly threatening the mental health of young women and marginalized groups.
“Cyberbullying, online harassment, and sextortion are rising, with youth—especially young women and marginalized groups—facing risks of slut-shaming, trolling, and online stalking. The non-consensual sharing of explicit content has serious mental health consequences, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Stigma often silences victims, leaving them without the support needed to cope,” he noted.
The two-day summit, themed “Ignite Your Potential: Youth Shaping Nyeri’s Tomorrow,” provided a platform for dialogue, mentorship, and exposure to practical opportunities. The event is expected to conclude today with a keynote address by Governor Kahiga, emphasizing innovation, enterprise, and sustainable youth development as pillars for the county’s future growth.
by Samuel Maina
