[NYS director Sospeter Mabeya speaking during the launch at Masalani Baraza park.] (Photo- VWanaswa)

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

The National Youth Service has re-launched the infamous youth empowerment project that will see 900 youths in Ijara Constituency, Garissa County engaged.

So far some 790 youths have been registered in the six month programme and same is going on in various wards.Speaking during the launch at Masalani Baraza park NYS director Sospeter Mabeya said the main aim of the programme is to equip the youths with skills to do business and better their lives through forming SACCOs to inculcate the culture of saving their earnings for extending their businesses.Mabeya advised the youths to take the programme with seriousness it deserves instead of using all the proceeds in meaningless lifestyles such as engaging in drug abuse.He added that the first task for the youths is to clean the all towns in Ijara by collecting the polythene papers, tree planting in learning institutions and hospitals.Members will contribute shs.141 daily and will be channeled to SACCOs and afterwards they can apply other funds from Youth Enterprise Fund and the youth can also form groups of 10 to 15 members and have table banking.Area Mp Hon.Sophia Abdi lauded the programme saying it has come at the right time to fight crime and drugs abuse a habit she said it has been a puzzle in the minds of the leaders and parents as well.Sophia said next month, similar programme will be launched in Hulugho sub-county where it will also benefit 900 youths who have been jobless.She said the money will be saved daily in every group and members who will excel will get funding from the youth fund kitty to expand their business empires.The legislator added that the initiative will also reduce inter-clan conflicts when members of different ethnic backgrounds form a group with divergent ideas.County Executive Committee member for Trade, Entrepreneur development and Tourism Adow Jubat said the County will integrate what the national government was doing when developing county youth policies to avoid duplication of roles.He said already they have identified areas of interest including tourist attraction sites where they will engage the youths in making them a world class destination for local and international tourist’s sites.