Youths from the Gichagi area in Ngong, Kajiado North, have completed a 45-day empowerment programme aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, social-emotional skills, and self-esteem.
The programme, organised by the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) in partnership with the Nyota Programme, brought together young people from the informal settlement to equip them with practical life and business skills.
Speaking during the Programme’s closing ceremony, one of the beneficiaries of the training, Stanley Wainaina, said the training had positively transformed his life.
“The programme has impacted me positively. I have gained self-esteem and improved my personality through interacting with fellow youths who share similar experiences.
The KISIP and Nyota programme is giving many youths knowledge and skills that are helpful to them and the community,” he told KNA.
Assistant trainer of the programme Rose Wainaina said they focused on helping beneficiaries cope with stress while also improving their entrepreneurial abilities to enhance livelihoods.
“The beneficiaries responded well to the training, and as trainers we have observed significant changes compared to when the programme began,” she said.
“We expected a higher turnout, and we hope more youths will take advantage of such opportunities in the future,” she noted.
Another trainer, Catherine Sereta, noted that although the programme targeted 50 youths, only 38 participants completed the training successfully.
“At the beginning, interviews and mobilisation were conducted within the Gichagi area, but we did not achieve full turnout,” she said, adding that most of the sessions involved group discussions and presentations aimed at building confidence and self-esteem.
She added that participants received a facilitation stipend of Sh350 daily, with some beneficiaries using the money as startup capital for small businesses.
“I would recommend the government continue creating such platforms for youths because, as a trainer, I have witnessed the positive impact of this program,” Sereta said.
Kajiado North Youth Development Officer Martha Bore said the initiative specifically targets youths living in informal settlements and encouraged more young people to participate in similar programmes.
“I am grateful to the government for introducing the Nyota programme, which, in partnership with KISIP, has positively impacted youths in Kajiado North,” she said.
Present at the event was Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri, who urged youths to embrace self-employment instead of waiting for formal jobs.
He challenged beneficiaries and other youths to remain persistent despite challenges, noting that entrepreneurship requires resilience and perseverance.
The KISIP 2/NYOTA project is a World Bank-funded initiative by the government to empower vulnerable unemployed youth between ages 18 and 29 and up to 35 years for PWDs with skills, entrepreneurship grants, and formal certification (RPL). It partners with KISIP to provide 45-day training in informal settlements to enhance employability and foster self-reliance
