Machakos youths mount colourful parade to mark end of Bootcamp

About 1,000 youths in Machakos on Friday held a grand parade to mark the end of a three-week Bootcamp as they transition to five(5) Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in a Youths Empowerment Programme sponsored by the County Government of Machakos.

Donning Machakos Youth Service uniform and boots, the youths assembled at the governor’s office where they mounted a colourful Guard of Honour inspected by Governor Wavinya Ndeti and the National Youth Service (NYS) Commandant General James Tembur.

The youths who have undergone rigorous training in physical exercise, first aid, discipline, leadership and communication skills at the Bootcamp marched and saluted in front of invited guests including their parents.

Among the beneficiaries of the programme was a 19-year-old Peter Wambua, an orphan who completed high school education in 2023 and wishes to pursue a career in catering.

Mr Wambua said the programme was timely as he did not know what to do after the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

“I wish to be a caterer. The training is practical and I know I'll leave ready to make a living. I was idle after I completed KCSE in 2023 and that’s why I registered for the MYS programme,” Mr Wambua said.

Another trainee, Ms Everlyne Mwikali, who was in a Brigade named ‘Thwake’, said the Bootcamp training had instilled resilience and she now looked forward to gaining more skills as a plumber.

They will now transition to Masii, Kyemutheke, Mitaboni, Kituluni and Matuu VTCs to acquire technical skills in various fields including Masonry, tailoring and dressmaking, plumbing, carpentry, electrical installation, catering, hairdressing and beauty therapy, welding and motor vehicle mechanics.

Some will remain at the Agricultural Training Centre where their camp is based to continue with training in agricultural and entrepreneurial skills.

Thereafter, the youths will do community service for two weeks before graduating. They will be facilitated with a token voucher of Sh15000 each to start up various trades.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ndeti said the programme was aimed at equipping the youths with skills to enable them earn a living.

“It pains me every time I see young people idling on the roadsides and outside shops from morning until evening because they lack a skill that can make them earn a living. My goal is to gradually end that culture by equipping as many young people with skills that can help them achieve their God-given dreams” said Governor Ndeti.

The Governor said her administration is exploring the budgetary logistics of doubling up the number of recruits up from the current 1,000 in order to create more opportunities for the youth.

“We are going to invest more in the camp in order to make sure next time we can admit up to 2,000. Our goal is to change the lives of these young men and women some of whom had given up in life. Ours is to show them the right path by giving them the desired skills,” she said.

She praised the trainees for exhibiting endurance and discipline during the Boot camp and urged them to prepare to serve the world in different capacities.

She said the County will in future absorb some of the graduates into the Inspectorate Department.

The training was conducted by a team of personnel from the NYS.

Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko hailed the programme as a milestone towards instilling discipline and patriotism among young Kenyans.

She said it will help improve the general security of the county as some youths who were into drug abuse had now been rehabilitated to engage in meaningful development activities.

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi appealed for more development partners to come on board and support such programmes which will transform the future of the youths.

In 2024, the County Assembly of Machakos ratified the programme after enacting the Machakos County Youths Empowerment Act, 2024