Youth Affairs Principal Secretary (PS), Mr. Charles Sunkuli officially commissioned the Chandaria Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP), an initiative by Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), a member of the Safal Group. The CYEP is an intervention geared toward providing sustainable alternative and innovative strategies to facilitate youth engagement in ICT and Entrepreneurship.
SAFAL Group deeply cares about the people and communities they operate in and live by the values of being a responsible and involved corporate citizen. The group is guided by four key focus social investment pillars that include: Environment, Shelter, Health, and Education. Today’s event falls under the Education pillar which is a key part of a society’s growth and progress.
The program is set to equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge for job creation. This includes skills in ICT for the purposes of doing business and livelihood sustenance.
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In partnership with the State Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs, the program seeks to accomplish youth economic empowerment. Further, the program seeks to directly impact over 1 million youth in Kenya by 2030 and is in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of decent work and economic growth.
Speaking at the commissioning event, Sunkuli thanked MRM for their commitment and contribution to supporting youth empowerment in Kenya by creating such a platform and initiative that offers the youth an alternative means to earn a living.
He acknowledged that the current unemployment rate and economic crisis in the country are indisputable and urged the youth to enroll in programs like these that will see them learn a new set of skills that they can use for their own benefit now and in the near future. He further mentioned that this initiative will enable the youth to be self-reliant and to a greater extent, grant them access to government opportunities and scholarships.
“At a time when the country has hit a record high with the annual inflation rate accelerating to 7.1% in May, unemployment remains a key issue and concern in our country, leaving the youth of this generation adversely affected and in a complete state of desolation. As a key stakeholder in the industry, we have taken up this initiative and created a means to which we believe will be beneficial and empowering for our future generation, making them self-employable,” said Manish Mehra, CEO MRM.
“Education is one of our key focus areas in corporate social investment and this initiative in partnership with the Ministry could not have come at a better time. We would like to encourage youth from all walks of life to enroll in the program and equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge for job creation and to improve their livelihoods.
This initiative seeks to build Public and Private partnerships with relevant institutions, corporations, and organizations. The program is founded on the key pillars of economic empowerment, driven by relevant skills development, strong business innovation, and entrepreneurial skills that will enable the youth to realize their full potential,’’ he added.
The CYEP comprises two main programs: Training and Mentorship opportunities for local start-ups. The first training took place at MRM Athi River in November 2018 and since its inception, the program has successfully trained 1,400 youth in four counties, namely Meru, Machakos, Nairobi, and Kwale.
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In an effort to reach more youth, the program will now offer virtual learning. The program will collaborate with the State Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs through their Empowerment Centers located across the country to offer the program.
Further, the program will also set up a base at MRM’s Service Centers located across the country. This will offer various youth across the country, access to the program. By upgrading, the program to virtual and its mobility, more youth will have access to ICT and Entrepreneurship skills. This in turn will help secure a better future for themselves and their families.
