Government Spokesperson Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna has urged Kenyan youth to take advantage of funds set aside by the government to empower themselves.
Addressing a youth forum in Murang’a County Wednesday, Oguna said that every Financial Year, the government sets aside funds, specifically meant to benefit the youth and urged them to take advantage of the funds to improve their livelihoods.
The government Spokesperson explained that the funds are aimed at enabling youth access finances to use as seed capital or promote their businesses and enterprise, thereby enhancing their economic growth.
He stated that the available funds the youths can access include Youth Enterprise Fund, Uwezo Fund, Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and Access to Government Opportunities (AGPO).
He observed that under the AGPO Program for example, the funds set aside facilitate the youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises to be able to participate in government procurement.
“30 per cent of funds allocated to all government ministries are intended to empower the youth, women and people living with disability,” said Oguna, adding that this was an affirmative action aimed at empowering youth owned enterprises by giving them more opportunities to do business with the government
“Youth should not shy away from taking loans to better themselves and their families” he said, adding that some youths have benefited from the funds and are doing well.
In Murang’a County, Oguna said that since 2017, the youth in the county had benefited up to a tune of Sh191 million under Uwezo Fund and Sh165 million under Youth Enterprise Fund.
The Spokesperson asked all youths who are interested in gaining various technical skills to visit the local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centers and learn the skills at subsidized government prices.
“The government will pay Sh30, 000 for each student directly to the college and the balance may be raised by applying for loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)” he said, adding that TVET centers were open to Kenyans of all ages.
Oguna also encouraged all graduates who have graduated within the last 5 years to apply for the national government internship program.
“This program lasts 12 months for each cohort and offers graduates a good opportunity to learn and gain experience in their respective careers,” he said.
He also challenged the youth to embrace online jobs, saying through a government program dubbed Ajira, the youth are being trained on how to utilize various online jobs and how to market their businesses
“Ajira digital is open to all and other than training on digital works, the platform offers advertising services for all businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government spokesperson has cautioned young people to guard against being misused by crafty politicians during this electioneering period.
“Rogue politicians tend to use young people to cause chaos so as to gain political mileage,” he said, adding that the youth should instead remain champion of peace across the country.
By Anita Omwenga and Purity Mugo
