Speaking during the pass-out ceremony of the second cohort of the Machakos Youth Service, Governor Wavinya said the programme has steadily grown in scale, acceptance, and relevance, reflecting its ability to respond to the real economic needs of young people across the county.
The second cohort saw 1,700 youths drawn from all 40 wards enlisted into the programme, building on the success of the inaugural intake. Following the pass-out, the graduates will proceed to Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) for fully sponsored three-month technical and vocational skills training.
Youth Empowerment as an Economic Strategy
Governor Wavinya emphasized that youth empowerment in Machakos is not a social welfare project, but a deliberate economic strategy anchored in the Machakos Youth Empowerment Act, 2024.
“We are investing in skills because skills create income, dignity, and independence. Empowerment must go beyond speeches and promises—it must translate into practical, life-changing opportunities,” she said.
She noted that the Machakos Youth Service integrates hands-on practical exposure, income-generating activities, and workplace experience, ensuring beneficiaries are well prepared before sitting NITA examinations, which will earn them nationally recognized certifications.
The Governor assured parents and guardians that the county government remains committed to seeing beneficiaries through the entire empowerment cycle—from recruitment and training to certification, employability, and self-reliance.
According to the county leadership, graduates from the first MYS cohort are already making tangible progress, with many having started small businesses, joined the workforce locally, or secured employment opportunities abroad.
Currently, over 30,000 youths in Machakos County are members of SACCOs and cooperatives, a move the administration says is strengthening financial inclusion and collective economic growth.
In addition to the MYS programme, the county is supporting over 1,200 youths in vocational skills training and 1,000 youths in motor driving, digital skills, and boda boda riding, further widening pathways to employment.
Preparing Youth for a Global Market
Governor Wavinya reiterated that her administration is preparing Machakos youth for the global market, not just local opportunities, urging parents to guide their children through dialogue and mentorship rather than coercion.
“Stay hungry, stay digital, and represent the Machakos brand wherever you go. Your skills are your licence to earn, to create, and to compete globally,” she said.
A Flagship Programme
The Machakos Youth Service remains a flagship initiative under the Ndeti administration, positioning Machakos County as a model for structured, skills-based youth empowerment.
“They say the future belongs to those who prepare for it. Looking at the youth of Machakos today, it is clear they are not waiting for the future—they are shaping it,” Governor Wavinya said.
The county leadership reaffirmed that youth-centered investments will remain a top priority, noting that when young people are empowered with skills and opportunities, the entire economy benefits.
