Youth urged to capitalize empowerment centres to access opportunities overseas

Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet-KNA

Baringo governor Benjamin Cheboi has challenged youth to take advantage of the empowerment centres initiated by both levels of government and Non-Governmental Organizations in order to connect to job opportunities abroad.

Cheboi made the call on Tuesday while launching Kabarnet One Stop Youth Centre within the county headquarters, which has been supported by Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The Governor said the centre which is equipped with an ICT hub, conferencing facilities, a recording studio and indoor games is dedicated to unlocking the youth’s potential.

“It is upon you to capture the moment, to take advantage of these tools to propel yourself to greater heights financially, academically, intellectually and skill wise,” he said.

Cheboi who revealed that the county was in the final stages of equipping other centres in Eldama Ravine, Chemolingot and Kabartonjo towns said the initiative complementing the national digital centres countrywide will support not only in linking youth with foreign jobs but also as a hub for entrepreneurship, mentorship in digital skills and business advisory services.

He stated that his administration is investing in the use of technology because it is the fastest way of making money, gaining knowledge, skills and reaching out to the world.

“Use it to dream, innovate, acquire skills and to build enterprises that will change not only your life but also the destiny of our county and the world,” he said.

Cheboi’s sentiments were echoed by his deputy Eng. Felix Kimaiyo who noted that such engagement is beneficial especially in 21st century where white colour jobs are being extremely scarce.

Kimaiyo who encouraged the youth to seize the opportunity requested the county administration to consider the already empowered youth in county government tenders and procurement awards as an incentive to them.

COMESA head of Governance Peace and Security Dr Oita Etyang who witnessed the launch said his organization will work with the county government to see to it that all youth within the county are empowered despite the numerous challenges they are facing.

Dr Etyang while announcing a donation of 40 computers to support the initiative said they will go an extra mile in paying for the internet at the Kabarnet centre for a year in order to attract the youth to interact with the rest of the world.

He encouraged the youth to take a keen interest in such opportunities instead of idling and loitering in the streets which is not productive to them.