The Uasin Gishu County Administration has put proper mechanisms in place to create employment opportunities for the majority of the unemployed youth in the county.
In his speech during the 60th Madaraka Day Celebrations in Eldoret, the area Governor Jonathan Chelilim acknowledged that unemployment for the youth is a serious issue in the country and that his administration has put in place mechanisms to address the challenge by undertaking significant projects like the setting up of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park.
The project is part of the national government’s commitment to construct industrial parks in all the 47 counties in order to enhance the country’s productivity, particularly through consolidation, processing, and value addition.
The governor indicated that the project is designed to promote trade, economic growth, and development within the counties.
He added that once complete, the project is expected to employ thousands of youths, thereby helping to reduce the number of unemployed youth and at the same time earning them a source of income to improve and transform their livelihoods.
He revealed that his government will allocate Sh 100 million to add on the other Sh 100 million from the national government towards the construction of the industrial parks.
“As a sign of commitment, the park has been gazetted as an Export Promotion Zone (EPZ), and my administration has allocated a budget of Sh 100 million for its establishment. Once complete, we expect it to employ thousands of youths,” said Chelilim.
Chelilim further noted that the county is actively engaged in market rehabilitation projects aimed at creating conducive spaces for trade to support business people in getting self-employment through small businesses like trading fresh farm produce, cereals, and others.
These markets include Cheptiret and Karandili, as well as the ongoing cabro works at Cherame and the construction of additional shades at Kimumu-Bahati wholesale market.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
