The County Government of Garissa has thrown its weight behind the re-introduction of 4K clubs in primary schools.
The County Government hopes the initiative will inculcate a positive mindset towards agriculture among the youth and help them transition with the required skills to be ‘agri-preneurs’.
Speaking during a sensitization forum on the re-branded clubs, County Secretary, Abdi Sheikh, said the government would provide necessary technical support to ensure the clubs regained lost glory, and re-position agriculture as a key employer among the youth of Garissa.
Sheikh noted that the revival of 4-K Clubs, which became ineffective in the early 1990s, will help address barriers that have contributed to low involvement of young people in critical sectors such as agriculture.
The 4Ks stand for Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya in Swahili, a clarion call to help the country be food secure.
Agriculture CEC, Mohamed Shale, said Garissa County has 32,000 hectares of arable land but only 4,000 hectares had been put under use.
“Young farmers from the 4K Club have enough land along the River Tana where they can transfer the skills they learn in school and start their own agri-businesses allowing us to lower the average age of the Kenyan farmer which currently stands at 60 years,” he said.
Garissa County Commissioner, Boaz Cherutich, called on teachers in the model schools identified in every ward to do their best to light the fire of agriculture and agri-business among their students.
On 4th June 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta re-launched the 4K Clubs in Nairobi.
The government holds that the 4-K Clubs through the CBC curriculum will provide a holistic approach to positive youth development at home, school and the community by building on the strength of the youth as active agents to community development.
By Erick Kyalo
