Over 1200 youth from Kiharu constituency are set to benefit from various short artisan courses that will be sponsored by the local NG-CDF.
This is after area MP Ndindi Nyoro launched the initiative dubbed Kiharu Fanikisha Programme, fully funded by the government kitty.
The fund will cater for tuition fees for a total of 1220 youth and young parents selected to study short technical courses in various local colleges and vocational institutes within the constituency.
The legislator called upon young people to embrace self-employment after their studies saying it would give them an opportunity to nurture their ambitions and even enable them to employ other young people.
“I want to encourage young people to consider self-employment, which is like a blank check, your skills and determination dictate how much you earn every month and your possibilities for growth are limitless,” said Ndindi.
The programme that was launched at Ihura stadium in Murang’a town will commence on December 16 in various colleges across the constituency.
“We have launched the programme Wednesday and this gives the colleges up to the end of the week to get ready for classes commencing from next week,” he added.
Ndindi noted that they have considered the accessibility of various institutions so as to ensure all the beneficiaries attend the ones closest to them.
“We have tried as much as possible to bring the training stations closer to the people so as not to over burden the beneficiaries with transport costs.
“We will have various stations across the constituency that will be offering the selected courses,” he added.
The beneficiaries will be sponsored to study hospitality, cosmetology and driving courses in various local colleges and driving schools in the constituency where the tuition will be fully paid.
“Those taking the driving course will receive the smartcard driving license at the end of their training,” Nyoro said
The MP continued, “Driving is a supplementary skill that is often a requirement when one is applying for other jobs.”
The Kiharu Fanikisha Programme will be done on a yearly basis with changes to the choice of courses available.
One of the beneficiaries, Macharia Njoroge from Mugoiri who is a father of two, applauded the MP for the programme saying it will give him opportunity to learn a skill that will hopefully open up more opportunities for him.
“I have wanted to learn a skill for a long time, but I could not afford it, I had even enquired how much it would cost and I have been trying to save since 2020 but in vain,” lamented Njoroge.
Maureen Wambui who will be studying hospitality celebrated the move and said through the initiative she will finally have an opportunity to pursue a course she has wanted for a long time.
By Purity Mugo and Bernard Munyao
