As the rate of unemployment keeps increasing annually as more students graduate from various institutions of higher learning, the government is investing in projects that seek to absorb the majority of skilled youths in various sectors.
Kirinyaga Women Representative Jane Njeri has called upon youths to take advantage of the available government opportunities in any sector.
“Take every opportunity that presents itself,” she reiterated.
Speaking in Thiba Grounds, Mwea, where she launched a football tournament dubbed “Triple Threat,” Njeri said the Kenya Kwanza government is investing more in jobs for the youth as well as talent development.
The Triple Threat tournament was aimed at creating awareness about three major challenges that are currently common in the county: teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and alcoholism.
The war on alcoholism and drug abuse in the Mount Kenya region has been in high gear since the recent pronouncement by the government that such vices must now come to an end.
“We are launching this competition to create awareness and stop teen pregnancies, GBV, and alcoholism among our youths,” she said.
The women representative acknowledged the allocation of Sh500 million in the proposed budget 2023–24 to cater for Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Kirinyaga, saying this will present opportunities for skilled and unskilled labor within the county.
Njeri added that she will work with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to ensure that individuals with necessary skills, who have not undergone formal training are given certificates to secure employment or employ themselves.
“David Mathenge, MCA Baragwi Ward, advised the youths to invest wisely in the prize money they will get from the tournament.
He said the county assembly will pass strict legislation that will reduce alcoholism while also cautioning male youths who impregnate schoolgirls.
“Please leave our girls alone till they graduate, since they are not only young, but are also our sisters,” he added.
Mathenge also said that, as leaders, they didn’t want to hear anything about Mungiki or demonstrations within Kirinyaga County.
The winners of the tournament will get a chance to play against teams from other countries in addition to the Sh1 million prize money.
By Mutai Kipngetich
