The second cohort of the Murang’a Youth Service (MYS) programme has graduated after successfully completing training on various short artisan courses.
On Sunday, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, speaking during the graduation held at Murang’a Level 5 Hospital grounds, said the more than 700 graduates are part of 4,200 young people who have been recruited in the programme since its inception, a year ago.
Kang’ata said the county government will offer each of the graduates Sh15,000 as start-up capital to establish income-generating projects, adding the youth will also be expected to pay levies for a single permit for one year.
The governor explained that once recruited, the young people are engaged in community work for two months, where they earn a stipend of Sh500 on a daily basis.
“From the amount they earn, we deduct Sh100 daily and remit it to their parents. This is to ensure the parents also benefit from the programme. After completing the community work, the youth are enrolled in various local vocational training institutions to pursue courses of their choice,” said Kang’ata.
He added, “Our aim is to spur Murang’a’s economy and create jobs for the youth. We are not just training employees but employers as well.”
Kang’ata further noted that through the programme, sanitation of many local towns have improved since the young people have been involved in cleaning the trading centres.
“Apart from improving cleanliness in our towns, the programme has revived our youth polytechnics. Currently the population of the polytechnics has gone up,” he added.
Kang’ata also announced internship opportunities for top-performing graduates from the first cohort, particularly those who attained First Class honours in their NITA exams.
The governor underscored the programme, saying the initiative is a cornerstone of the county government’s commitment in empowering the next generation and preparing them to lead in business, innovation, and service.
He urged the graduates, once they get the opportunity, to further their studies in the national polytechnics and TEVTs.
“The Murang’a Youth Service continues to exemplify the county’s dedication to youth empowerment, skill-building, and sustainable economic development,” said the governor.
He further said recruitment of the next cohort will be in January next year, noting the process of recruiting beneficiaries is open and transparent.
“We usually do recruitment in chiefs’ camps across the county, and the process is done through balloting to ensure fairness and transparency,” he explained.
On his part, Kiru MCA Morris Thuku lauded the programme, saying the graduates have the opportunity to work outside the country.
Thuku noted with the NITA certificate they have acquired, the youth can try to secure overseas jobs now that the government is linking Kenyans to jobs abroad.
By Bernard Munyao and Purity Mugo
