Youth in Banana, Kiambu County have been advised to work together as a team in order to advance their entrepreneurial interests.
Addressing youths in Banana Town on Monday, Kiambu Sub-County youth officer, Ms Charity Githinji said that young people are a crucial element in every society as they form the basis for future development and they need to embrace the culture of working together.
“To participate and achieve in the social, economic and political aspects of life, youths should accommodate each other to manage the current life’s challenges and dynamics,” she said.
Githinji said youths should be encouraged to work together regardless of their ethnic, social and political affiliations to succeed in life and in promoting entrepreneurship.
She said lack of opportunities for youths in Kenya has led to loss of potential talent and hence youth end up getting involved in social evils such as crime, drug abuse and immorality.
Githinji said youth empowerment centres should give guidance to the youth not only through sensitisation but also in imparting life skills and encouragement to participate collectively in community matters.
“Youths can be empowered through mentorship programmes, support and advice on financial or legal matters, vocational training and also moral support,” said Githinji.
She added that there should be fairness in terms of access to job opportunities and financial assistance to those wishing to start or expand their businesses to earn a living and contribute to the economies of both their counties and the nation at large.
Githinji further said that the county government is trying its best to foster, develop and support youth initiatives and involve them in decision making on matters concerning their areas and encouraged them to be patriotic.
“The government aims at engaging youths as vital resource at both grass root and national levels since they are the backbone of the society,” she said.
According to Githinji, it is through youth empowerment and participation that the county and the country at large will be able to realise its full potential, as youth make up majority of productive labour force in the society.
“Without youths there will be no leaders and builders of our economy. They need our help and as society we too need them,” said Githinji.