Youth: Makueni's Greatest Asset
Over 60% of Makueni's population is under 30 years old. Young people are our county's greatest resource—full of energy, ideas, and potential. Yet many face a harsh reality:
- • Unemployment: Youth unemployment exceeds 40%, leaving many unable to support themselves or families
- • Skills gap: Limited vocational training means many lack marketable skills
- • Limited opportunities: Few pathways to education advancement or entrepreneurship
- • Migration: Many young people leave Makueni in search of opportunities elsewhere
Our commitment: We will unlock youth potential by creating jobs, supporting skills development, and fostering entrepreneurship at scale.
Our Youth Empowerment Strategy
Create 10,000 Youth Jobs
Generate meaningful employment opportunities across the county economy.
- ✓ Direct county employment: Hire 2,000 youth for roads, water, healthcare, and education
- ✓ Green jobs: Plant 1 million trees; 3,000 youth positions in environmental conservation
- ✓ Infrastructure projects: Support private construction and tech projects creating youth employment
- ✓ Agribusiness: Support youth-led farming and value-addition enterprises
- ✓ Services sector: Develop tourism, hospitality, and digital services with youth lead
Skills Training & Education
Equip youth with in-demand skills for the modern economy.
- ✓ Vocational training: 20,000 youth annually in trades (welding, plumbing, electrical, construction)
- ✓ Digital skills: Tech training, coding, digital marketing for 5,000 youth annually
- ✓ Agricultural training: Modern farming methods for 3,000 youth annually
- ✓ Entrepreneurship: Business training and mentoring for aspiring business owners
- ✓ Soft skills: Communication, leadership, financial literacy for all trainees
Support Youth Entrepreneurship
Enable youth to start and grow their own businesses and enterprises.
- ✓ Youth startup fund: 500M KES to finance 5,000 youth-led businesses with low-interest loans
- ✓ Business incubation: Establish 5 youth business centers with mentoring and office space
- ✓ Market linkages: Help youth entrepreneurs access county procurement and value chains
- ✓ Digital platforms: Create online marketplaces for youth businesses to reach customers
- ✓ Mentorship program: Connect young entrepreneurs with successful business leaders
Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement
Develop youth as leaders and active citizens shaping Makueni's future.
- ✓ County youth council: Formal platform for youth to advise on policy
- ✓ Leadership training: Develop 1,000 youth leaders annually
- ✓ Scholarship program: 500 brilliant students from poor families sent to university annually
- ✓ Civic engagement: Community service projects and volunteer opportunities
- ✓ Sports & culture: Support youth sports teams, arts, and cultural groups
Youth Empowerment Targets by 2032
Direct youth jobs created
Youth trained annually
Youth businesses funded
Youth unemployment reduction
Youth Empowerment Investment
County Budget
Annual allocation of 1 billion KES for jobs, training, and entrepreneurship support
Youth Startup Fund
500M KES revolving fund for low-interest youth business loans
Development Partners
200M+ KES from donors supporting skills training and employment programs