Youth from Mavoko Sub-County miss out on mentorship and funding opportunities because they demand handouts.
This is acccording to the area Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) officer, Maurice Mosachi, who says the behaviour has discouraged development agencies and donors.
"Youth from Mavoko Sub-County do not want to attend development meetings when called on, they want to be given lunch and allowances to turn up for such important meetings that are always organised for their own personal interests," said Mosachi.
Mosachi was addressing the youth and religious leaders at St Jude's Catholic Church in Athi River town during an Inter-Faith Religious Forum on drug and substance abuse on Friday.
"Both the government among other development partners in the region believe in giving the youth fishing skills and nets to allow them keep fishing for sustainability instead of providing them with fish once in a blue moon which is unsustainable," said Mosachi.
He said the situation has left several young people from the region living hopelessly with no form of income.
The officer said if the youth do not change their attitude, projects intended to be implemented in Mavoko will remain stagnant if youth are not willing to attend sensitisation meetings for free.
Mosachi also urged youth and women to visit his office within the town for reliable information on available programs, projects and public funds available for them and to learn how they can benefit.