Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka has pledged to broaden opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities, stating that the project will help them earn livelihoods, build confidence, and steer clear of crime and political violence. The legislator emphasized that talent development serves as a crucial channel for empowering youth, especially school graduates who lack outlets for their artistic pursuits.
Speaking at the Machua Project Fame talent event at the Ndumberi ICT Hub, Mr. Waithaka explained that the program aims to discover, cultivate, and promote emerging musicians, actors, dancers, and other performers. He noted that the competition convened diverse young men and women to perform before professional judges who provided evaluations and guidance. The MP stated that top performers would be connected to broadcast platforms to gain visibility and advance their careers. He expressed encouragement at the turnout and emphasized that the initiative offers constructive engagement, warning against the exploitation of youth as political agents.
The MP committed to making the talent contests regular and expanding them to encompass more participants and disciplines, complementing existing efforts in sports and digital skills. Participants shared how the platform allowed them to test their abilities, receive constructive feedback, and feel recognized. Florence Wanjiru and Elliot Kimani praised the event for uncovering their potentials and urged leaders to continually invest in creative industries alongside digital empowerment programs like the Jitume initiative.
Judges commended the organizers for offering professional mentorship and urged contestants to view the experience as a valuable milestone regardless of the outcome. County Youth Officer Mwangi also lauded the initiative for redirecting youth energy into productive ventures. Beyond the talent show, Mr. Waithaka highlighted broader developmental milestones, including school infrastructure renovations utilizing the NG-CDF, the ongoing development of Kirigiti Primary School on land secured from the Ministry of Interior, and ongoing free education provisions for day secondary students in Kiambu.