By Michelle Ndaga
Machakos County has graduated 1,000 young people from its inaugural Youth Empowerment Program, a 21-day boot camp initiated by Governor Wavinya Ndeti Oduwole to equip youth with practical skills and promote economic self-reliance.
The program trained 25 participants from each of the county’s 40 wards, offering National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)-certified courses in leadership, teamwork, and technical trades such as mechanics, construction, and entrepreneurship.
The graduation ceremony, held at Whitehouse Grounds in Machakos, was attended by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as chief guest. Kalonzo encouraged the youth to register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying active participation would help shape the country’s future leadership and governance.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti congratulated the graduates for completing the training and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to expanding youth empowerment initiatives across the county.
However, the event coincided with criticisms over the county’s alleged withholding of KSh 19 million from comedian Sammy Kioko for a completed uniform supply tender a dispute that has reportedly led to his business closures, employee layoffs, and protests. The issue has not yet been addressed
