- The Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly has unanimously passed the Elgeyo Marakwet Youth Service Bill, 2025.
- The programme will recruit at least 50 youths annually from each of the county’s 20 wards for training, community service and vocational education.
- Leaders say the initiative will create employment opportunities, strengthen technical skills and promote volunteerism across the county.
The Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly has unanimously passed the Elgeyo Marakwet Youth Service Bill, 2025, setting the stage for an ambitious programme designed to equip young people with practical skills, foster discipline, promote community service, and improve employment opportunities.
The initiative will recruit a minimum of 50 youths from each of the county’s 20 wards every year. Participants will undergo a 12-month programme beginning with a 30-day residential training camp covering communication, etiquette, firefighting, and life skills.
Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Affairs, Emsoo Ward MCA Gilbert Yatich, said the programme seeks to empower young people with practical competencies while preparing them to face everyday challenges.
“The aim is to train our youth and equip them with skills that will enable them to cope with daily activities and life challenges,” Yatich said.
Community service and vocational training
Following the residential training, participants will undertake one month of community service through environmental conservation, tree planting, flower planting, town cleaning, and bush clearing before joining vocational training centres for ten months.
“We want our youth to acquire skills that are recognised across the country and even beyond. Through vocational training centres, they will gain practical knowledge that will help them fit into the job market,” he said.
According to Yatich, trainees will sit National Industrial Training Authority examinations to obtain nationally recognised certificates before graduating with tools to support self-employment or formal employment.
He said the Assembly would push for adequate budgetary allocation to ensure the programme becomes operational.
“We are currently in the budget-making process and will engage the relevant department so that we can secure the necessary resources and begin implementation as soon as possible. If all goes well, we hope to enrol the first group of youths by September,” he said.
MCAs back the initiative
Emsoo Ward MCA Christopher Cheboiboch said the initiative would help reduce idleness among young people.
“If we do not engage our youth, they can easily be drawn into unproductive activities. We have seen how youth service programmes have positively contributed to development and community service in other parts of the country,” he said.
Nominated MCA Sally Kosgei said the programme would tackle unemployment while addressing social challenges affecting young people.
“Instead of leaving our children idle, we found it wise to engage them and give them something meaningful to do. Even if this does not pay immediately, it will benefit them in the future,” she said.
Kosgei noted that many talented youths remain unemployed despite possessing valuable skills, exposing them to drug abuse and other social vices. She urged both the County Assembly and the County Executive to fully fund the programme so that every ward benefits.
Endo Ward MCA Festus Kirop described the legislation as long overdue and praised the county’s sports department for prioritising youth development.
“I hope the programme is implemented early enough so that the first group of trainees can assist in preparing the county to host visitors expected during the Mashujaa Day celebrations,” Kirop said.
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Leaders expressed confidence that the Elgeyo Marakwet Youth Service Programme will create employment opportunities, strengthen technical skills, promote volunteerism, and contribute to the county’s long-term socio-economic development.
By Kimutai Langat
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