MOMBASA,Kenya (Prime Africa News) – The County Government of Mombasa has launched a major youth empowerment initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and certification to enhance their employability.
Dubbed TUJIAJIRI, the programme will benefit more than 700 youths across the county in its first phase, offering training in various market-driven skills. The initiative falls under the County Department of Education and was initiated by Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to address the growing challenge of youth unemployment, particularly among those locked out of job opportunities due to lack of formal certification and required documentation.
Speaking during the programme’s launch in Mombasa, Deputy Governor Francis Thoya announced that the county, in partnership with KCB Bank, has committed Sh40 million to kick-start the initiative.
Thoya said TUJIAJIRI seeks to identify, certify and formally recognise skills already possessed by many young people, enabling them to access job opportunities both locally and internationally.
“It is unfortunate that many youths are locked out of employment opportunities simply because they lack the necessary documents,” Thoya said. “Going forward, the County Government will continue collaborating with institutions like KCB to empower our youth, not only to secure employment but also to start their own businesses using the skills they acquire.”
The Deputy Governor noted that the county plans to scale up the programme, with the number of beneficiaries expected to rise to 1,500 youths in the next financial year, as part of efforts to reduce the number of unskilled and unemployed young people in Mombasa.
County officials say TUJIAJIRI aligns with broader global and regional efforts to tackle youth unemployment, which continues to disproportionately affect young people, especially in Africa. By focusing on skills development, certification and access to training, the Mombasa County Government hopes to position its youth competitively in the job market while promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The programme is expected to play a key role in strengthening the county’s human capital and driving inclusive economic growth.
About The Author
