By Nyanza News Reporter
President William Ruto has challenged young people to take advantage of numerous opportunities the government has initiated to improve their lives.
The President explained that these programmes are deliberate, intentional and consistent and are aimed at creating employment and business opportunities for young people.
He singled out investment in the digital economy as one of the key pillars in creating jobs and opportunities for business for the youth.
He explained that the government, in partnership with the National Government Constituency Development Fund, is building digital hubs in every ward in 236 constituencies.
The President said the plan is to build a digital hub in each of Kenya’s 1,450 ward in the 290 constituencies to enhance Internet access and train young people in digital literacy.
The digital hubs, he pointed out, provide free WiFi services, training and opportunities for online work, President Ruto said.
Speaking when he launched the Siaya Community Digital Hub on Sunday, President Ruto said the ICT sector, with training and the provision of the necessary facilities, has the potential of giving millions of young people skills to earn livelihoods.
“Already, 330,000 young people are working and monetising their talent online at ICT hubs at our TVET colleges, among other programmes,” he said.
President Ruto cited other opportunities benefiting young people to include the Affordable Housing Programme in which more than 500,000 youth are working in housing projects, modern markets and student hostels.
Labour mobility, the President explained, is another government programme providing jobs for young people abroad.
So far, 540,000 have found work in the past three years.Other interventions include the NYOTA programme in which young entrepreneurs have received business support of training, mentorship and KSh50,000.
Meanwhile, President Ruto regretted that, for a long time, there has been no tangible plan to create employment opportunities for the youth in the country, but pointed out that the government is correcting the situation.
He said young people are skilled, talented, innovative and energetic, pointing out that they are the solution to the challenges facing the country.
“It is on this basis that we have deliberately put in place measures to empower our youth and create gainful employment for them,” he said.
President Ruto described the youth as the assets that will be instrumental in making Kenya a first-world economy.
“For far too long, our youths have been perceived as part of the problem facing this country, yet they are part of the solution to the problems we are facing,” the President noted.
He went on: “This is why we have come up with deliberate and international plans to create employment opportunities for young people.”
He cautioned the youth against being misused by politicians to engage in acts of lawlessness at the expense of initiatives that uplift their lives.
“I want to ask young people not to allow politicians to misuse them to engage in violence and politics, and instead to embrace empowerment programmes,” he said.
On development in Siaya, President Ruto said the affordable housing projects in the county are near completion.
He said hostels under construction in Siaya, at a cost of KSh5.6 billion, will accommodate 11,000 college and university students.
Additionally, President Ruto said 25 modern markets are being built at a cost of KSh3.5 billion.
“Siaya County has also been allocated KSh1.6 billion to connect electricity to 16,000 homes,” he disclosed.
ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga said the Siaya Community Digital Hub would equip the beneficiaries with highly needed ICT skills and consequently boost their employability, as well enable them secure online jobs.
“It is up to our young people to seize the opportunities and improve their lives,” he said. Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo (ICT) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Governors Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Paul Otuoma (Busia), and MPs were present.
