Kakamega County Commissioner, Pauline Dola, has called for concerted efforts between the national and county governments in youth empowerment programmes.
Ms. Dola said the youth constitute an integral part of the national population and hence the need to focus on initiatives that would lead to their socio-economic empowerment.
The CC, who was addressing the National Hygiene Programme (NHP) County Implementation Committee (CIC) at the Planning Hall on Wednesday, lamented that most young people had turned to crime and drug abuse because of idleness and poverty.
She urged the CIC members to collaborate so that the youth can take advantage of the NHP to turn around their lives. The programme is targeting 4,181 youth in the county in the first phase.
The County Secretary (CS) Jacintah Aluoch pledged to work together with the National Government Officers to ensure the initiative succeeds.
Aluoch disclosed that the county administration has an ongoing Youth and Women Empowerment Programme where they currently have over 3, 000 beneficiaries.
“Those enrolled in the programme do bush clearing and cleaning the precincts of government offices until noon at a monthly stipend of Sh3, 000 and then go for classes in the local polytechnics at 2 pm,” stated Aluoch.
She added that the county also sponsors sporting activities in order to nurture and promote talent among the youth.
The CS said they usually fund a dancing troupe and a soccer team that have been excelling in the national festivals.
By Sammy Mwibanda
