Youth in Kikuyu sub-county have been advised to work together as a team in order to advance their entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking in Kikuyu town on Friday, Kikuyu Township Member of County Assembly (MCA) Binary Wainaina said that young people are a crucial element in every society as they form the basis for future development.
He said the youth 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 challenges and dynamics,” he said.
Waweru said that youths should be encouraged to work together regardless of their ethnic, social and political affiliations to succeed in life and in promoting entrepreneurship.
He said that lack of opportunities for youths in Kenya has led to loss of potential talent and hence youth ending up getting involved in social evils such as crime, drug abuse and immorality.
The MCA suggested that 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 by creating opportunities through mentorship programmes, support and financial or legal advice, vocational training and also moral support,” he said.
He 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.
Waweru called on the national government to develop and support youth initiatives and involve them in decision making on matters concerning their areas and encourage them to be patriotic.
“The government should engage youths as vital resources at both grass root and national level since they are the backbone of the society, said Wainaina.
Waweru said that it is through youth empowerment and participation that the county and the country at large will be able to realise its full potential, saying youth make up majority of productive labour force in the society.