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230 youth from Kakamega County have graduated from a 45-day Social Emotional Skills Training under the KISIP II and NYOTA programmes aimed at boosting employability and economic empowerment.
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The initiative equipped them with entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and life skills, with graduates already starting small businesses and pursuing income-generating activities.
A total of 230 young people from Kakamega County have graduated from a transformative skills development programme under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase II (KISIP II) and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) initiative, marking a key milestone in youth empowerment and economic inclusion efforts.
The beneficiaries, drawn from informal settlements within Kakamega and Mumias municipalities, successfully completed a 45-day Social Emotional Skills Training (SEST) programme. The training equipped them with practical life skills, entrepreneurial competencies, and personal development tools aimed at improving employability and promoting self-reliance.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Kakamega County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning, Angela Silima, described the initiative as transformative for young people seeking economic opportunities.
She commended support from development partners, including the World Bank through KISIP II and NYOTA, noting that the programme had opened new pathways for youth empowerment in informal settlements. She said it aligns with Governor Fernandes Barasa’s agenda on wealth creation, social transformation, and inclusive growth.
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“The skills and knowledge acquired will benefit not only the graduates but also their families and communities. Young people have immense potential to become innovators, entrepreneurs and employers if given the right support,” she said.
The training covered entrepreneurship, social-emotional intelligence, financial literacy, health and wellness, and personal development, with emphasis on resilience, leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
Albert Rotich, who led the KISIP II National Coordination and Project Team, said the programme had achieved significant success in reshaping attitudes and preparing participants for productive engagement in society. He noted that many graduates demonstrated increased confidence and a stronger sense of purpose.
NYOTA Head of On-the-Job Experience, Christine Wanjira, urged the graduates to take advantage of government empowerment initiatives and strengthen networks that support economic growth. She encouraged them to form groups and cooperatives to access funding and other opportunities.
Several graduates said the programme had been life-changing, enabling them to start small businesses such as poultry farming, thrift clothing sales, dairy product ventures, and snack enterprises, while others expressed interest in pursuing further entrepreneurial activities.
The ceremony brought together officials from the Kakamega County Project Coordination Team, County Youth Directorate, Settlement Executive Committees, Grievance Redress Committees, and other stakeholders in youth empowerment.
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The event highlighted the growing importance of partnerships between government and development agencies in addressing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable socio-economic development, particularly in informal settlements.
For the 230 graduates, the occasion marked not only the completion of training but also the beginning of a new phase defined by ambition, resilience, and economic independence.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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