NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 10 – 1,000 youth in Kisii County have been commissioned under the KCB Foundation’s 2Jiajiri programme for technical and vocational skills training.
This initiative seeks to empower youth through skill development.
According to KCB Foundation, the move will enhance employability and promote entrepreneurship across the region.
The KCB Foundation, in partnership with the Kisii County Government, has jointly invested Sh50 million to fund the programme.
The training will cover a diverse range of sectors, including building and construction, manufacturing, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation, catering and hospitality, automotive engineering, domestic services, sustainable agribusiness, beauty and personal care, ICT, and creative arts.
KCB Foundation’s Head of Programmes, Joblin Omari, emphasized the importance of skill development for the youth.
“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 grassroots levels in the counties,” Omari said.
The 2Jiajiri programme will be delivered through Kisii-based National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)-certified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, ensuring that the beneficiaries receive high-quality training relevant to the local job market.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, on his part, expressed his pride in the initiative, stating, “I am proud that through this programme, 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, access to capital, and ensuring their success.”
Upon completion of their training, the youth will be equipped with toolkits tailored to their specific trades, enabling them to transition smoothly into self-employment or small business ventures.
Since its launch, the 2Jiajiri programme has disbursed Sh259 million in loans and issued 918 business startup toolkits across the country.
Likewise, it has trained 22,959 youth and incubated 5,594 businesses through KCB’s business development services, contributing significantly to the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya.
