Nyamira County reached a significant achievement in its youth development efforts with the graduation of the third and fourth cohorts of the Digital Youth Empowerment Programme on Wednesday.
The ceremony, led by Governor Amos Nyaribo at the county headquarters, witnessed 57 young individuals completing training in technology, online opportunities, web development, graphics, and content writing.
Governor Nyaribo highlighted the vital importance of youth in stimulating economic progress.
“The youth represent the driving force behind a robust and prosperous economy. That is why my administration is allocating substantial resources to education and training, concentrating on skills that meet job market demands to help our youth advance and excel in digital employment and various entrepreneurial ventures,” he stated.
He stressed that the initiative is providing young people with essential abilities to thrive in the digital landscape.
“Nyamira County Youth Empowerment Programme is arming numerous youth with crucial competencies to help them secure digital positions across Kenya and internationally,” Nyaribo mentioned, noting that these graduates join a growing number of beneficiaries from the county’s ICT Hub.
“We are in the process of relocating the Hubs to subcounties; it is imperative that education and training become universally available,” he added.
He also announced the establishment of the Nyamira Digital Academy, designed to assist participants in finding employment, along with investments in vocational training and collaborations with the KCB Foundation to provide scholarships for students.
Graduates conveyed appreciation for the assistance, expressing that the acquired skills would benefit them both at home and abroad.
To facilitate their entry into remote work, each graduate was given airtime credits valued at 5,000 shillings.
The event was joined by senior county officials including County Secretary Dr. Jack Magara, CECMs Stephen Oboso (Finance), Emilly Ongaga (Education and ICT), Dr. Peris Mong’are (Agriculture), Bernard Maina (Lands), Alice Manoti (Environment, Water), and Dr. John Matiang’i (Youth, Sports, Gender), among others. Rigoma MCA and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Nyambega Gisesa were also present.