Kiambu County youth will benefit from a Sh9.4 million grant from USAID through Mercy Corps for the “Yes Youth Can” programme. The grant will promote activities of youth groups in the area such as expansion of economic opportunities. It will also sponsor mentorship, training and advocacy programmes. Addresing the Kiambu Constituency Youth forum on Monday at Charismatic Church in Kirigiti, sub-county youth officer Charity Gachigi said the government had initiated several programmes for the youth and called on them to utilize the chances provided to them. She urged youths to form groups and seek loans to boost their projects which will earn them an income and be independent hence shunning crime. Area chief John Njenga stated his frustration by how the youth preferred working for Sh200 per day instead of applying for funds to start income generating projects that will develop and empower them. The programme encourages youth leadership and a youth voice in local and national policy dialogue to increase youth participation in local development and peace initiatives. Stephen Njuguna, the president of “Yes Youth Can” in Kiambu, noted that most groups were dormant and could not benefit from funding. Lucy Njeri, the Kiambu Uwezo Fund representative, encouraged youths to obtain loans since only women groups are currently keen on benefiting. Mercy Corps have been working with over 1,000 youth bunges across Kiambu and Murang’a to promote of sustainable peace and teaching them how to be involved positively in the nation’s development.

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