lowereas
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through practical skills development following the official launch of the second cohort of the Machakos Youth Service (MYS).
Speaking on Friday, January 24, 2026, during the opening of the MYS Bootcamp at the Administration Training College (ATC), the Governor described the programme as a deliberate shift from rhetoric to action, noting that meaningful development must be demonstrated through tangible impact on people’s lives.
Governor Ndeti presided over the ceremony and engaged directly with more than 1,700 newly recruited youths, drawn transparently from over 40 wards across the county. She emphasized that the initiative is designed to equip young people with skills that translate directly into income and self-reliance, rather than short-term handouts.
The Machakos Youth Service has become a flagship programme under the county’s skills-first economic agenda. County officials pointed to the success of the inaugural cohort, where 1,000 youths completed intensive training and were supported with start-up tools, enabling many to venture into self-employment. The positive outcomes, the Governor noted, demonstrated that structured vocational training can offer a sustainable solution to unemployment.
Under the second phase, the recruits will undergo a 21-day boot camp before proceeding to vocational training centres spread across Machakos County. The training will focus on market-driven technical skills such as motor vehicle mechanics, masonry, carpentry, electrical installation, cosmetology and beauty, catering, and other trades aligned with current labour market demands.
According to the county leadership, the goal is to nurture a generation of skilled artisans capable not only of earning a living but also of creating employment opportunities for others. Upon successful completion of the programme, the youths will graduate and receive start-up tools to help them transition into the world of work.
Many of the participants described the programme as a turning point, saying it offers them hope and a clear pathway to economic independence. As expectations for accountable leadership continue to rise, Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration appears determined to anchor its legacy on skills-based empowerment, positioning Machakos County as a model for youth-driven economic transformation.
