YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO TAKE CENTER STAGE IN MAKUENI’S 2025/2026 BUDGET

Makueni’s youth are set to benefit from enhanced development opportunities as the county government prioritizes funding for youth-led initiatives in the 2025/2026 Financial Year Budget.

During a Youth Sector Working Group meeting held in Wote, which brought together the county government and partners working with young people, County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Sebastian Kyoni, emphasized that the implementation of key youth empowerment programs will be a cornerstone of the 2025/2026 budget.

Kyoni urged young people to actively participate in the upcoming budget public participation exercise to ensure adequate allocation of funds to youth programs at all levels, starting from the ward level.

The targeted youth empowerment programs include:

• Support for the registration of youth-led businesses to access niche markets;

• Financial and capacity-building support for young people engaged in value addition;

• Strengthening youth advocacy initiatives;

• Support for business start-ups for individuals or youth groups.

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services has committed to creating and supporting a collaborative space for organizations in the youth sector to effectively implement the youth empowerment strategy.