New Opportunities For Marsabit Youth With KCB, Mastercard

By Robai Ludenyi

A total of 178 young people have graduated from the Merille Vocational Training Center in Marsabit County after completing a skills development programme under the 2Jiajiri initiative, led by KCB Foundation in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation’s Young Africa Works (YAW) programme. The graduation marks a significant step toward reducing youth unemployment in the region. Notably, 70 percent of the graduates were women, highlighting the programme’s strong focus on gender inclusion.

The 2Jiajiri programme equips vulnerable youth with technical and vocational skills to help them start businesses or secure jobs in various sectors. Over the past five years, the initiative has trained over 8,500 youth across Kenya, leading to the creation and support of more than 43,000 jobs. During the event, 110 trade-specific toolkits were distributed to help the graduates start their own businesses. These toolkits, combined with access to business development services (BDS) and startup capital from KCB Bank, give the graduates a practical foundation to succeed in entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the event, KCB Foundation Director Mendi Njonjo emphasized the urgent need to address youth unemployment. “We recognize the rising unemployment rates in Kenya and the wider East African region. That’s why we’ve made a deliberate effort to support young people through our 2Jiajiri programme. Today, we celebrate the young men and women from Marsabit who are ready to begin their entrepreneurial journey,” said Njonjo. The event was also attended by Marsabit Governor Ali Mohamud, who praised the efforts of the KCB and Mastercard Foundations, stating, “Their support goes a long way in ensuring that young people from our county access dignified and fulfilling work.”

The training programme spans nine months, consisting of six months of classroom instruction followed by a three-month industrial attachment. Participants also receive training in life skills, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to prepare them for either employment or self-employment after graduation. Those interested in starting their own businesses receive further support through business mentorship, tools, and funding access.

Since its inception, the 2Jiajiri Programme has trained more than 35,000 youth, supported the creation of over 150,000 jobs, disbursed millions in youth enterprise loans, and distributed over 2,000 business start-up toolkits. The initiative is part of KCB Foundation’s broader mission to uplift communities through education, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic empowerment.

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The Author is Robai Ludenyi, a Journalist with an eye for TV Production