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Kitui County Minister for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koki on Monday received activist Martin Mulwa following the conclusion of his record-breaking 100-hour tree-hugging challenge, an advocacy action aimed at pushing both the county and national governments to expand access to technical training and address youth unemployment.
Speaking to the press after the engagement, Koki said Mulwa’s protest had drawn critical attention to the challenges facing young people in the county, particularly the limited opportunities for skills training and jobs. She noted that the county leadership had listened to the concerns raised and was committed to practical interventions.
Koki congratulated Mulwa not only for the cause he championed but also for setting a new local record in Kitui by becoming the first individual to hug a tree continuously for 100 hours. She added that the peaceful protest had successfully amplified the voices of unemployed youth across the county.
The Health CEC further disclosed that Governor Dr. Julius Malombe had directed that Mulwa receive free medical care following the ordeal. She said the activist would be treated at Kitui Referral Hospital at no cost for the entire period he remains under medication, in line with the governor’s instructions.
According to Koki, the governor, who was not present, sent a delegation of chief officers and county ministers to represent him and reaffirm the county government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
Among those present were Kitui County Minister for Agriculture Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, Minister for Environment Richard Mwendandandu, the Chief Officer for TVETs and Vocational Training Kennedy Munyambu, and Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kelvin Kinengo.
Addressing the media, Munyambu revealed that the county government had scaled up its plans for technical skills development. He said Kitui County would train 1,000 youths through TVET and vocational programmes, adding that 400 of the beneficiaries would be issued with start-up kits to help them become self-reliant.
He explained that the kits would target practical trades such as welding, plumbing and other technical skills, enabling graduates to immediately venture into income-generating activities.
The engagement marked a significant moment in Kitui’s youth advocacy landscape, with county leaders indicating that Mulwa’s record-breaking action had helped fast-track commitments aimed at equipping young people with employable skills and addressing unemployment in the county.
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