Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe has reiterated his commitment in supporting local talents by empowering the youth. Malombe emphasized the importance of recognizing the youth as essential drivers of economic development and lauded the transformative potential of the ‘Plug Mtaani Vijana 2Invest’ initiative, meant to identify talents in local youths. The governor also highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the Kitui’s 16-point development agenda, which prioritizes support for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized enterprises, including support of talents in local youths. Speaking during the ‘plug Mtaani Vijanaa 2Invest’ awarding ceremony held at his office in Kitui town, Malombe assured the youth of his government’s unwavering support and encouraged the county government’s relevant ministries to collaborate closely with the youth by fostering an environment, where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. ‘My government is dedicated to nurturing young entrepreneurs to serve as a model for other regions, while demonstrating the power of collaboration between local and national governments to empower the youth and drive economic progress,’ he said. Kitui County hosted the ‘Plug Mtaani Vijana 2Invest’ initiative award ceremony, a youth business idea contest aimed at nurturing and identifying the entrepreneurial spirit among young individuals in the region. The competition program, launched about two weeks ago, is a result of the collaborative efforts of the County government of Kitui and the National government to promote economic growth and support Micro, Small, and Medium-sized enterprises. This innovative initiative was designed to equip young entrepreneurs in Kitui County with the essential skills needed to develop successful business plans and thrive in the competitive business landscape. Out of a total of 200 registered participants, 135 were selected to undergo the comprehensive training program, demonstrating a strong interest among Kitui’s youth to develop their entrepreneurial acumen. During the award ceremony, 8 exceptional candidates were honored for their outstanding business ideas. These young entrepreneurs were celebrated for their ingenuity and dedication to fostering a brighter Kitui. The winners included Charles Mwendwa, who secured the first-place prize of Sh50,000 for his innovative project, ‘Sandbags.’ This initiative harnesses Kitui County’s natural resources by responsibly harvesting sand in a manner that aligns with the County’s environmental guidelines. Mwendwa’s work serves as an inspiring example of sustainable business practices and responsible resource management. The second best participant was awarded Sh30,000, while No. 3 got Sh20,000. The other five winners, known as ‘the sector winners,’ each received a prize of Sh10,000, not only to the reward hard work of the young entrepreneurs, but also provide crucial seed funding to help bring their business ideas to life. Meanwhile, following the training and local-level competition, the top three performers from Kitui County have now been selected to represent the region at the national contest. The national-level competition will bring together three contestants from each of the 47 counties, thus showcasing the potential of Kitui’s youth on a broader stage.
Source: Kenya News Agency