Leaders have been urged to invest in young people in order to guarantee the country’s future economic development. While speaking to leaders in Kakamega County, the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Paul Otuoma said that young people represent the future of our country and therefore must be properly guided and given correct information to enable them attain personal development that would translate to national growth.

Hon Otuoma further emphasized on the need for concerted efforts from players within and outside the government in solving the challenges facing young people adding that this responsibility cannot be shouldered by the government alone. He therefore urged leaders to use their platforms to disseminate information to the youth especially on how and where to seek opportunities that would enable them do business in their respective area of interest. “Each one of us present here today has a role to play in empowering the youth, let us therefore help our young people lay a good foundation for themselves so that they can help us when we grow old.” He said.

He urged leaders to nourish young people with useful information such as the many opportunities available within the county that they could utilize to make a meaningful living. “We have good rain, security, fertile land and many other opportunities in Kakamega county that young people could use to make a good living”, he said.

Embrace culture of taking loans

Hon. Otuoma also asked leaders to encourage young people to embrace the culture of taking loans as a sure way to progress in entrepreneurship. “People without loans are not progressive, in order for our young people to progress they need to take loans that will enable them do business” he said. Hon. Otuoma assured leaders that the loan applications which had been taking long to process will now be fast tracked so as not to dull the enthusiasm and morale of the applicants. He reminded young entrepreneurs to ensure they repay their loans in order to take up new ones and expand their businesses.

The Youth Enterprise Development Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Juma Mwatata said that the Fund has disbursed Kshs. 90 million to over 3,100 youth enterprises in Kakamega County. At least Kshs. 29 million has been disbursed to 712 youth groups through the constituencies, while Kshs 61 million has been disbursed through financial intermediaries.

Mr. Mwatata said that the Fund was in the process of compiling a youth enterprise directory that will enable young entrepreneurs market their products, form linkages as well as lobby for procurement from youth enterprises. In this regard he urged young entrepreneurs to visit youth offices near them so that they can be listed in the directory.

The Kakamega county sensitization forum was part of the mashinani program started by the fund this year to help bridge the gap between the young people at the grass root levels and the YEDF board. The function was held at the Masinde Muliro Gardens in Kakamega County on 13^th October 2011 and was attended by Provincial Commissioner, District Commissioners, Division Officers, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Councilors as well as religious and opinion leaders.