Kwale county government has sponsored the first cohort of 80 youth in Mwavumbo Ward, Kinango sub county to undertake driving courses at a local driving school.
The devolved government will also help the beneficiaries of the youth empowerment scheme to acquire motor driving licenses.
After the completion of the driving training, driver’s license will be given to the successful trainees in order to enable them to take a suitable driving job career.
Area governor Fatuma Achani said the sponsorship is aimed at addressing widespread youth unemployment in the coastal county.
She said the new initiative will help curb unemployment, poverty and social vices like drug abuse among the young people.
“Sponsoring the youth for driving courses is one way of empowering them,” she said, adding that participants will be licensed as fully qualified drivers.
The governor, accompanied by the County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Sports, Social Services and Talent Management Francisca Kilonzo said the initiative seeks to enhance youth employability and improve road safety.
Achani said the course, fully sponsored by the county government, is part of her administration’s ongoing efforts to empower youth with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
She said the beneficiaries will be equipped with certified driving licenses, road safety knowledge, and basic vehicle maintenance skills.
“This program is more than just driving lessons, it’s about giving our young people the tools they need to be independent, earn a living, and support their families,” she said, adding that Kwale will commence training of the youths in modern technologies in the automobile industry.
Achani said while the youth make up the largest portion of the population, they however remain among the most marginalized and overlooked in the society.
“The youth are brimming with potential, dreams and energy that need to be tapped by developing their skills to fight youth unemployment and associated social problems,” she said.
The governor said the county recently launched a Sh30 million Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) fund as part of its commitment to strengthening TVET, as well as up-skilling artisans.
Achani said the establishment of the TVET fund was part of an ambitious agenda to reposition technical and vocational education training across the coastal county.
“The TVET fund kitty is part of our vision to contribute to the growth of Kwale through skills acquisitions, empowerment, innovation and prosperity,” she said.
She says the devolved government is determined to equip local youth with the competencies necessary to drive economic growth, create employment and ‘reposition Kwale as a leading hub of skilled labour in the coastal region’.
Achani underscored her administration’s dedication to economic empowerment and poverty reduction through TVET development in enhancing livelihoods and creating economic opportunities.
At the same time, the governor cautioned the youth against social vices like drug and substance abuse and criminal activities warning that the choices they make today would shape their future.
Mwavumbo Ward MCA, Hamisi Mkaha, applauded the county government for prioritizing youth development in the region, saying the program was timely and impactful.
“This initiative responds directly to the needs of our youth. Many have been idle due to a lack of skills or resources to pursue training but now they have a chance to improve their lives.” he added.
The MCA also urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and use the opportunity, not only to improve their own lives, but also to contribute positively to their communities.
Mkaha said the empowerment program that aims to equip the youth with essential driving skills, is a vital step towards enhancing road safety and empowering beneficiaries with new opportunities.
Jumaa Mose, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the county government for the sponsorship, noting that many youths had dreamt of becoming professional drivers, but could not afford the fees, but now the course will help them acquire skills, earn a living, and fight unemployment.
by Hussein Abdullahi & Sharon Ndila
