1,000 young people from Kisii County have been awarded scholarships under the KCB Foundation’s flagship 2Jiajiri programme. This initiative, launched in partnership with the County Government of Kisii, seeks to equip local youth with vital technical and vocational skills that are crucial for the modern workforce.
A joint investment of KShs. 50 million was injected into the programme, a collaboration between the KCB Foundation and the Kisii County Government, aimed at providing youth with high-demand skills in sectors that are expected to generate significant employment opportunities. These areas include building and construction, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation, catering and hospitality, automotive engineering, beauty and personal care, ICT, sustainable agribusiness, and creative arts.
During the launch event, Joblin Omari, the Head of Programmes at KCB Foundation, emphasized the significance of the initiative. He noted, “Despite Kenya’s significant progress in addressing the skills gap among its youth, there remains a pressing need for opportunities that serve as a direct pathway to self-employment and entrepreneurship, particularly at the grassroots level in the counties.” He underscored the critical role of practical, skill-based training in empowering youth to create their own job opportunities and become entrepreneurs.
Governor Simba Arati of Kisii County expressed his pride in the programme, highlighting its potential to transform the economic landscape of the region. “I am proud that through this initiative, we are not only equipping our youth with essential technical skills but also nurturing the economic potential of our micro-enterprises. By providing strategic skills in high-demand sectors and access to capital, we are ensuring their success and driving the economic growth of Kisii County,” said Governor Arati.
The 2Jiajiri programme’s implementation will be carried out through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)-certified Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions based in Kisii County. These institutions will provide the youth with the training needed to build sustainable careers and businesses.
As a further boost to the participants, upon completion of their training, the beneficiaries will receive toolkits tailored to their specific trades. These toolkits will enable the youth to begin their self-employment journeys with the necessary equipment to start their own businesses and contribute to the local economy.
The 2Jiajiri programme has made significant strides since its inception, with a total of KSh259 million disbursed in loans and 918 business startup toolkits issued across Kenya. The programme has also supported the training of 22,959 youth and incubated 5,594 businesses through KCB’s business development services.
This new wave of scholarships is expected to have a lasting impact on the youth of Kisii County, empowering them with the tools and skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern job market and pursue entrepreneurship opportunities that will help shape the future of the region. Through this collaboration, KCB Foundation and Kisii County Government are setting a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can address youth unemployment and stimulate local economic development.