Garissa County government has allocated Sh100 million to Garissa Vocational Training Centre to empower youth in Garissa County.
Area Governor Ali Korane said the vocational training centre will be elevated to a modern innovation hub with lecture hall, a laboratory and other modern infrastructure.
“I have shared this idea with experts in USA who will be coming by June to help us fully operationalize the centre,” Korane said.
Addressing youth gathered at a Garissa hotel during the Amuka program organised by YADEN and KESHO organisations, the Governor said unemployment and access to education remains a major challenge to the local youth.
Korane noted that 68 per cent of primary school going age were out of school and 90 per cent were out of secondary school.
He said his administration was working towards a functioning and sustainable solution.
The governor urged youths to be innovative and come up ideas that are workable to enable them get funding from the Revolving Fund Board.
The Governor also hinted of an MOU with foreign country to hire local youths with skills in relation to the new innovation centre.
He said ICT centres were constructed in every ward and the next financial year the ICT centres will be fully equipped and operational.
On youth and sports, the Governor said football tournaments will be held at the ward, sub counties and county level to tap talents.
He said the two best players will get a chance to travel to the UK for summer trials and upon selection to football club academy, the county government will provide them sponsorship.
Youths attending the meeting shared with the governor their recommendations on issues of community development, peace and cohesion, skills and knowledge empowerment, entrepreneurship as well as leadership and governance.
By Jacob Songok