About 90 youths in Makueni County have been given trade tools to start businesses to generate income, alleviate poverty, and become self-reliant.
The youths were handed over the tools by the Makueni County Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili after they underwent a thorough 8 weeks on job-training under the supervision of identified master craftsmen through a programme dubbed Ujuzi Teke Teke in the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services.
“The programme seeks to create self-employment for the youth as well bridge the capital gap by providing tools of work. Hence, it gives me great pleasure to be part of this occasion targeting various Jua Kali sector which is a game changer sector when it comes to economic stability of our county,” said Mulili, during the graduation and issuance of tools trade for Teke Teke programme at the Makueni Integrated Vocation Centre.
Among the tools of trade handed over to the beneficiaries who were drawn from the 30 wards in the county included sewing machines, car wash machines, saloon, barber machines to mention a few. “I encourage you apprentices to make the most of these tools provided and to continue striving for excellence in your trades,” posed the Deputy Governor.
Furthermore, Mulili said that the government is committed to supporting the informal sector through policies that promote fair trade, access of resources and continuous development of skills. “We will continue to invest in programmes that empower our youth and ensure they have opportunities and tools needed to thrive,” she added.
Speaking the same event, the county Youth Executive Committee Member (ECM) Engineer Peter Mumo warned the beneficiaries against selling the tools and observed that they will be monitoring each one of them. Consequently, Mumo warned that the government will recover the tools of trade from individuals who will try to sell them.