More than 1,700 young people in Makueni County are set to benefit from the Wazo Innovation Program, a national government initiative aimed at empowering youth through entrepreneurship and innovation.
A total of 1,740 youth have been enrolled in the program, which seeks to tackle unemployment by nurturing startup culture, improving business sustainability, and bridging critical knowledge gaps, especially around patenting and intellectual property rights.
While speaking in Wote on Wednesday, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya encouraged the youth to embrace the opportunity to shape their futures through innovation-driven enterprises.
“This program is not just about training — it’s about creating a new generation of job creators, not job seekers,” said Mvurya. He added that each participant will receive a monthly stipend of K.sh 6,000 during the six-month intensive training period.
Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili lauded the partnership, noting the county’s continued investment in youth development through initiatives like Ujuzi Teketeke and sports programs. She reaffirmed the county’s commitment to empowering young people with skills and resources to thrive.
The Wazo program reflects a growing shift toward innovation-led development, targeting the root causes of youth unemployment and creating pathways for long-term economic empowerment.
