Wazo Youth Engagement Forum-Makueni County

Government Opportunities and Youth Empowerment at Makueni WAZO Youth Engagement Forum

The vibrant town of Wote, Makueni County, recently played host to a high-impact youth empowerment initiative — the WAZO Youth Engagement Forum — organized by the National Youth Council (NYC) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports. The forum, held at KMTC Makueni Campus, brought together over 1,000 youth, stakeholders, and government officials to explore opportunities tailored to empower young people and align them with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Speaking during the event, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Hon. H.E. Salim Mvurya, emphasized the government’s commitment to investing in youth-driven initiatives:

“The youth are at the centre of Kenya’s economic and social transformation. Through programs like WAZO and NYOTA, we are not just giving opportunities — we are planting seeds of innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership. The government will continue to prioritize youth empowerment as a strategic pillar for national development.”

The forum aimed to create awareness of various government programs designed to tackle youth unemployment, promote innovation, and provide access to funding and training. Key among these was the “Gumzo na Vijana” session, a youth-centered panel discussion where senior government officials and agency representatives outlined initiatives including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Ajira Digital, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), and the Kenya Film Commission.

One of the most impactful programs showcased was the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), led by Mr. Augustine Mayabi, which will offer 1,740 Makueni youth a six-month intensive training and a monthly stipend of Ksh. 6,000 to support entrepreneurship and business development. Additionally, certify the competencies of 420 youth through Recognition of Prior Learning, and empower 1,950 youth by providing grants of Ksh. 50,000 as seed capital to help them start or expand their business.

In his address, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs, Mr. Ismail Maalim Madey, commended the collaborative nature of the forum:

“This initiative is a true reflection of our shared vision — to place youth at the heart of Kenya’s future. We are creating not just awareness but concrete pathways to opportunity. Youth must now step forward and take charge.”

Echoing his sentiments, NYC Youth Advisory Board Chairperson, Hon. Sophy Nekoye Waliaula, highlighted the importance of involving young people in governance and development discourse:

“The youth of Makueni and Kenya at large have the ideas, the energy, and the passion. Forums like WAZO give them the platform to be heard and to act. We must continue to amplify youth voices at every level.”

NYC Acting CEO, Gloria Wawira, expressed her appreciation to all stakeholders who made the forum possible, while reiterating NYC’s commitment to rolling out similar forums across the country:

“We are proud of the impact made in Makueni and look forward to taking the WAZO movement to Kwale and Kiambu, engaging over 5,000 youth in total. Our goal is to make opportunity accessible, and the youth visible in national development conversations.”

Beyond entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, the forum also integrated environmental conservation efforts. Over 1,200 trees were planted, demonstrating the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change.

Her Excellency Lucy Mulili, the Deputy Governor of Makueni, commended the NYC and the Ministry for choosing Makueni as a host county:

“This forum reflects our joint efforts in ensuring that Makueni’s youth are not left behind. As a county, we are ready to collaborate further to strengthen youth-centered initiatives and create opportunities for our future leaders.”

Also present at the forum were PS for Sports Elijah Mwangi, Sports Fund CEO Mr. Nuh Abrahim, area Members of Parliament, MCAs, and other leaders from affiliate ministries and county offices.

As the WAZO Youth Engagement Forums continue to spread across counties, they reaffirm the government’s commitment to youth inclusion, empowerment, and socio-economic transformation, lighting the path for a more vibrant and productive generation.