The County Government of Murang’a through a project sponsored by the World Bank has made notable strides in curbing unemployment among the youth in the wake of the ravaging global Covid-19 pandemic.
Hundreds of young people in the County have benefited through grants from the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NAGRIP).
NAGRIP County Coordinator, John Waihenya, affirmed that 855 youth have been enrolled in the programme to offer labour through the project.
“The selected Sub-counties for the NAGRIP project include Kahuro, Kandara, Maragua, Mathioya and Kigumo, where Sh27 million has been channeled into helping the youth,” stated Waihenya who was speaking to KNA in his office, Monday.
The coordinator noted that many more youths have benefited through the existing 954 community development interest groups and 16 cooperatives as NAGRIP also play a hand in value chain addition, market-oriented livelihood intervention and nutrition mainstreaming.
NAGRIP was established in the County in 2017 with the objective of increasing rural agricultural productivity and profitability.
“Every County has a specific value chain to advance, some deal with avocado, bananas, chicken and dairy,” Waihenya added.
He said currently NARGRIP is working with 855 youth and targeting 1,000 in a few months’ time,” noted the coordinator, adding that there are both skilled and unskilled young men and women in the teams.
“The skilled carry out measurements for soil and water conservation activities whereas the unskilled are involved in clearing and laying terraces, excavation of land in public areas and creating water pans,” he remarked.
Consequently, from the proceeds they get by offering work force, the majority have been able to start successful livelihoods by initiating small income generating projects.
The coordinator revealed that some of the engaged young people have been able to venture into goat rearing, chicken rearing, barber shops, grocery stalls among others.
Waihenya advised the youth to join community self-help groups so that they can also benefit from the grants being accorded to groups apart from offering labour.
“Even as they offer labour and get daily wages, it is important they join groups as they will benefit collectively and benefit from grants given to groups by NAGRIP,” he added.
Waihenya said a number of the youth have gotten into value addition of farm produce and are reaping huge returns from processed agricultural goods.
By Florence Kinyua
