The KCB Foundation, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, today marked a major milestone with the graduation of 460 youth under the Young Africa Works (YAW) programme in Mukurwe-ini Constituency.
The event, held at the Giathugu Youth Polytechnic, saw the youth graduate from 15 training institutions across the constituency, including Mukurwe-ini TTI, Kaheti VTC, Thangathi VTC, Gathungururu VTC, and Giathugu VTC. The cohort has undergone intensive skills training in various trades aimed at enhancing employability and enabling youth to participate meaningfully in Kenya’s economy.
Speaking during the event, KCB Foundation Director, Mendi Njonjo, said: “Today’s graduation is a powerful demonstration of what partnership and intentional investment in youth can achieve.
Through the Young Africa Works program, we are equipping young people with market-ready skills that not only improve their employability but also catalyse income generation and job creation.
Our goal is to ensure that these 8,500 youth being trained nationwide contribute to the support of 43,000 jobs, thereby transforming communities like Mukurwe-ini from within.
For the past five years, the KCB Foundation and Mastercard Foundation have jointly implemented the YAW program across Kenya, with a focus on building resilient livelihoods by providing technical skills, business training, and support for enterprise development.
The guest speaker, Hon. John Kaguchia, MP for Mukurwe-ini Constituency, lauded the initiative as a game-changer for the region’s youth.
“What we are witnessing today is a clear testament that when institutions unite for the sake of young people, transformation follows. By partnering with the Mastercard Foundation and KCB Foundation, we are equipping our youth with the capabilities they need to access dignified and fulfilling work. This collaboration is uplifting not just individuals, but the entire Mukurwe-ini community,” said Hon. Kaguchia.
At the heart of the programme is a structured skilling model aimed at empowering vulnerable youth. The project offers technical vocational education and training (TVET) delivered through short courses lasting 6 months, combining hands-on training with essential life skills.
Each training cycle runs for six months, comprising six months of classroom learning and three months of industrial attachment, a practical approach designed to close existing skills gaps and align project participants to real industry needs.
Through the KCB Foundation, youth receive Business Development Services (BDS), trade-specific starter toolkits, and access to start-up and working capital provided by KCB Bank, ensuring that their transition into work or business is well-supported and sustainable.
The successful graduation of the 460 project participants marks the beginning of their transition into work placements, entrepreneurship opportunities, and further skilling support under the 2Jiajiri initiative.
By James Kisoo
