By Amoto Ndiewo
The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kenya Marine Authority (KMA) have partnered to train over 600 youths who are to join the international seafarers industry.
The Shipping and Maritime Permanent Secretary Nancy Karigithu revealed that Ksh.155 million will be disbursed to the youth as bursaries starting next year for qualified youth.
“The youth will be trained in safety and will get unsecured loans from KCB to secure visa documentation embarkation costs and other travel logistics,” she said.
“We play our role in licensing the qualified youth following their training and therefore oversee their transition into the maritime industry and overall population, this we do while aiming to train and position the country as a hub for maritime vessels across the globe. With the unemployment crunch affecting the country we have a bulge of youth who are unemployed. This challenge gives an opportunity for us to be innovative thus get into other areas of production while tapping into the maritime industry to increase our Gross Domestic Product,” she added.
The KCB Director of Retail Anastasia Kimutai who was present stated that line efforts were being made to tackle the issue of youth unemployment through a sustainable approach.
She added that as a national local bank with global solutions, their intention was geared towards uplifting the livelihood of the youth.
Applauding the two institutions for their effort and support, Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya said the county was committed to empowering the youth.
