By Gikuyu Ntoogo
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki yesterday disbursed Sh30 million worth of economic-empowerment equipment to 2,388 youths from across the county.
Speaking during the issuance exercise in Chuka Town Picnic Park, Governor Njuki who was accompanied by Youth and Gender CAS Rachel Shebesh and Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene said the equipment will create employment opportunities for the jobless youths.
He said his government is focused on empowering youth people and that such equipment will be issued every year with a target of making sure that each and every youth in the county has an income-generating project.
“I urge all youths to form groups so that they can benefit from the equipment because rarely does government support individuals,” said Governor Njuki.
Some of the equipment included brick-making machines, motorbikes, posho mills, fuel pumps, concrete mixers, saloon equipment, Tuk-tuk and ploughing machines.
Other groups also received cows and goats.
The county boss lauded youths in the bodaboda sector for not only focusing on the motorbikes but also venturing into other income-generating projects like dairy farming.
“The bodaboda sector has become a crucial platform for youths to come together to discuss important matters. We, therefore, need to support them so that they can create employment both inside and outside the sector,” he said.
He singled out Shauri bodaboda Group from Mukothima ward in Tharaka constituency that received a fuel pump from the devolved government as one of the groups doing exemplary well.
Ms Shebesh said the national government will continue supporting the youth groups with funds to boost their venture.
“I request youths to take advantage of Uwezo Fund, Youth Fund and Women Enterprise Fund,” she appealed.
The CAS awarded cheques totaling Sh31 million for Women Empowerment Fund, Youth Empowerment Fund and Uwezo Fund.
MP Munene and MCAs who attended the event lauded Njuki for the initiative and urged the county residents to consider reelecting him in 2022.
Mr Munene said the most unfortunate thing is that many politicians in the country use youths for their political agenda during campaigns only to abandon them after assuming offices.
