A youth group in Ndhiwa East Sub-County has been hailed as a model of economic empowerment after transforming a single motorcycle into a diversified income-generating enterprise that now benefits dozens of its members.
The Pala Moyie Boda Boda Youth Group received a major boost in 2018 when the then Ndhiwa MP, Augustino Neto Oyugi, donated one motorcycle to each of 22 youth groups under a youth economic empowerment programme. The group was among the beneficiaries.
Speaking at Ojode Pala Trading Centre in South Kabuoch Location during a goat handover ceremony, the group’s Executive Secretary, Mark Onyango, said proceeds from the motorcycle business enabled the members to invest in three tents and a set of chairs, which they now hire out for community events such as weddings, funerals and meetings.
The group later accumulated savings of about Sh268,000, allowing it to expand its investments. This week, members purchased 53 female goats and distributed them to 53 members as part of a livestock-rearing project aimed at improving household incomes.
“While purchasing the goats, we could not get enough animals for all our members. We will later purchase the remaining 17 she-goats so that every member benefits from the initiative,” Onyango said.
The former Ndhiwa MP, Augustino Neto Oyugi, who is also the co-party leader of the United Green Movement (UGM), praised the group’s prudent management of the resources they received.
“When I first donated the motorbikes in 2018, I encouraged the 22 youth groups beneficiaries to use them to generate income. This particular group saved about Sh268,000 and invested in tents and chairs. They have now moved beyond collective investments to building the economic capacity of individual members by purchasing she-goats,” he said.
Oyugi described the initiative as a significant milestone in youth empowerment and pledged continued support for the group.
“This is a step in the right direction. We will continue working together with the group to ensure it has greater capacity to grow. We have also supported them with another motorcycle,” he said.
He noted that youth empowerment and employment remain key pillars of the United Green Movement Party, adding that Kenya’s youthful population presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
“Kenya has a youth demographic dividend, with nearly 70 per cent of the population aged between 18 and 35 years. Youth unemployment remains a serious challenge that requires all stakeholders to work together to address,” he said.
Oyugi urged leaders across the country to invest in empowering young people instead of exploiting them for political violence. “Goonism is increasing because many young people are unemployed. As leaders, we must reject the use of youths for such vices and instead empower them with sustainable sources of income so they can live dignified lives,” he added.
United Green Movement Party (UGMP) Co-organizing Secretary and Homa Bay County Woman Representative aspirant Elizabeth Ogweno commended the Pala Moyie Boda Boda Youth Group for discipline and resilience.
“The Pala Moyie group has demonstrated discipline in management and resilience in the face of challenges. As leaders, we are committed to supporting development-oriented youth groups that are focused on improving the livelihoods of their members,” she said.
By Sitna Omar
