• Head of Program at KCB Foundation Joblyn Omari, added that the bank will provide financial literacy s and credit facilities to the trainees once they finish their courses.

600 youths in Homa Bay County are currently undergoing technical training in 19 vocational training institutions in a bid to empower youths through education and competitive skill development.

With the target of eradicating joblessness in the county, the County Government of Homa Bay in partnership with KCB Foundation has invested a total of 24 million into the program Tujiajiri Genowa Fundi Mang’ula.

Speaking during the launch of the program, Governor Gladys Wanga said that the program is investing on human capital and technical skills in order to create a favorable space for self-employment.

“We are looking forward to creating a county with professional plumbers, electrical engineers, masons, tailors and carpenters through funding education that will drive our youth towards self-employment,” Governor Wanga said.

Governor Wanga also said that the beneficiaries will have the power to command the economy in the coming years and her passion towards building a stable future for the youth begins with technical skill development.

“The journey towards empowering the youth is a collective responsibility that requires many forces and as a county we have decided to partner with KCB Foundation to provide a platform for our youths to push them towards economic stability," she added.

Head of Program at KCB Foundation Joblyn Omari, on the other hand added that the bank will provide financial literacy s and credit facilities to the trainees once they finish their courses.

“The investment made by the county government and KCB Foundation will aim at creating direct and indirect jobs for the youth, KCB will provide financial literacy and credit to the trainees when they will be starting their own businesses.” he said.

He also said that the bank will provide technical skills and start up kits for the youths after they are done with their training to ensure a smooth transition for them into the job market.

“KCB is going to provide technical skills, startup kits, development support and facilitate working capital at a subsidized rate of 9% for their trainees, this will foster steady self-employment,” he said.

Vivian Achieng’, a student from Sero Vocational Training Centre and a beneficiary of the Tujiajiri program expressed her joy for being one of the lucky beneficiaries; she added that the training will build her tailoring skills and that after graduating she will invest in self-employment.

“I want to thank the County government for the opportunity it has given the youth, I did not have funds for school but this program will build my tailoring skills and I look forward to opening my own fashion and design house," she said.

The bank is looking forward to partnering with PLAN International, LVCT,PATH and Breakthrough in the journey towards economically developing the county through providing startup kits for the trainees.