Ngong: Youths from the Gichagi area in Ngong, Kajiado North, have completed a 45-day empowerment programme aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, social-emotional skills, and self-esteem. The programme, organised by the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) in partnership with the Nyota Programme, brought together young people from the informal settlement to equip them with practical life and business skills.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the Programme’s closing ceremony, one of the beneficiaries of the training, Stanley Wainaina, expressed that the training had positively transformed his life. He stated, “The programme has impacted me positively. I have gained self-esteem and improved my personality through interacting with fellow youths who share similar experiences. The KISIP and Nyota programme is giving many youths knowledge and skills that are helpful to them and the community.”
Assistant trainer of the programme, Rose Wainaina, highlighted their focus on helping beneficiaries cope with stress while also improving their entrepreneurial abilities to enhance livelihoods. She observed significant changes in the participants since the programme began and expressed hope that more youths would take advantage of such opportunities in the future.
Another trainer, Catherine Sereta, noted that although the programme targeted 50 youths, only 38 participants completed the training successfully. She explained that interviews and mobilisation were conducted within the Gichagi area, but full turnout was not achieved. She added that most sessions involved group discussions and presentations to build confidence and self-esteem, and participants received a facilitation stipend of Sh350 daily, which some used as startup capital for small businesses.
Kajiado North Youth Development Officer Martha Bore emphasized the initiative’s focus on youths living in informal settlements and encouraged more young people to participate in similar programmes. She expressed gratitude to the government for introducing the Nyota programme, which has positively impacted youths in Kajiado North.
Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri, present at the event, urged youths to embrace self-employment instead of waiting for formal jobs. He challenged beneficiaries and other youths to remain persistent despite challenges, highlighting that entrepreneurship requires resilience and perseverance.
The KISIP 2/NYOTA project is a World Bank-funded initiative by the government to empower vulnerable unemployed youth between ages 18 and 29, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities (PWDs) with skills, entrepreneurship grants, and formal certification. It partners with KISIP to provide 45-day training in informal settlements to enhance employability and foster self-reliance.
