Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu has called on youths to take advantage of the numerous kitties established by the devolved unit to support them.
The governor has said his administration is committed towards supporting youths and has put measures in place to create jobs and support them towards engaging in business activities.
He cited the Laikipia Enterprise Fund which was established in 2014 to create more than 30,000 employment opportunities in the private sector through expansion of existing small-medium enterprises.
The fund was allocated Sh300 million to support small businesses with cheap loans.
Others include the Laikipia Co-operative Revolving Fund and the Innovation Funding.
The governor said the kitties only charge an interest rate of six per cent, making it easy for local youths to acquire credit and repay.
“These kitties only require them to provide a Local Purchase Order in case of tenders and they will be financed. Once they are paid, the county deducts the money the youths owe and forwards the rest to them”, he added.
The governor revealed that the Laikipia Entreprise Fund currently has more than Sh30 million that is accessible to youths.
He further noted that those willing to join Vocational Training centres are provided with bursaries amounting to Sh10,000 to help them acquire skills.
“No youth has any excuse to stay at home with the excuse of financial constraints. Come forward and we will support you either through business or training,” Irungu said.
The governor who spoke during the Youth Week celebrations in Nanyuki said called on the business community to partner with the county to help create more employment opportunities.
He said his administration is willing to engage all stakeholders in the vocational training sector to remove all blockages discouraging youths from obtaining technical skills.
“Let the ranchers, corporates and well-wishers in the county come together and help us formulate strategies that will create more job opportunities for the youth.”
The governor also launched the Laikipia scholarship programme that will see thousands of youth from poor backgrounds get a chance to study.
The county Chief Officer for Youth and Gender Jecinta Koree reiterated the county government’s commitment to continue supporting the youth in obtaining artisan courses as well as linking them with job opportunities.
She said the high levels of joblessness have fueled hopelessness among the youths and that acquiring skills is the only way to help them access jobs.
