The County Government of Machakos has admitted 1,500 youths into the second cohort of the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme, with trainees today reporting to the Machakos Youth Training Camp in Machakos Town.
The new intake marks a significant expansion of the programme, up from 1,000 trainees in the inaugural cohort, reflecting the county’s growing investment in youth empowerment and skills development.
The admitted youths will undergo a three-week residential induction programme, during which they will be equipped with discipline, leadership, and essential life skills. Upon completion, they will proceed to eight vocational training areas, where each trainee will pursue a course of their choice based on interest and aptitude.
Speaking during the reporting exercise, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Dr. Consolata Mutisya, noted that the trainees were recruited from all 40 wards across Machakos County, ensuring equitable representation.
Dr. Mutisya highlighted that many of the beneficiaries come from humble and disadvantaged backgrounds, emphasizing that the programme is designed to empower young people with practical, employable skills that will improve livelihoods and help reduce youth unemployment across the county.
One of the trainees, Lenah Mutinda from Kalama Sub-County, expressed her gratitude to the County Government, saying the programme had restored her hope for a better future and given her a renewed sense of purpose.
Parents who accompanied their children to the training camp also expressed joy and appreciation, describing the selection into the highly competitive programme as a life-changing opportunity for their families.
The County Government has further assured residents that plans are underway to increase the number of recruits in future cohorts, in response to the growing demand for vocational training and youth empowerment across Machakos County.
