Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a has intensified her campaign for the Kiambu governorship, promising to introduce financial support for young people seeking to establish businesses and urging voters to give her a chance to lead the county in 2027.
Ms Ng’ang’a said her administration would establish a county based youth empowerment programme modelled on the national NYOTA initiative, which provides young people with start up capital to venture into business.
She spoke during a graduation ceremony for students who had completed various short courses in Kiambaa Constituency, where she joined area MP John Kawanjiku in celebrating the graduates and encouraging them to pursue further education and employment opportunities.
The former Thika MP, who has served two terms in Parliament, said her experience as a businesswoman and legislator had taught her the importance of perseverance, hard work and investing in young people.
She urged the graduates not to allow their certificates to mark the end of their ambitions, but instead use the skills acquired to build careers, establish businesses and pursue higher qualifications.
“Keep pushing. When you get that certificate, do not give up. Only God knows how far you can go. The sky is the limit,” she told the graduates.
Ms Ng’ang’a, who disclosed that she started her career in the beauty industry after completing school, said she had operated a salon before venturing into politics.
She recalled employing her first worker, Muumbi, with whom she said she was still working, as an illustration of how determination and consistency could create lasting opportunities.
The MP said young people who had trained in fields such as beauty, driving and hospitality should remain focused on their ambitions, even when faced with setbacks.
She encouraged them to pursue diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications, saying technical and vocational training should serve as a foundation for further advancement.
Ms Ng’ang’a said her proposed youth empowerment programme would complement existing national government initiatives by providing additional financial support to young entrepreneurs at the county level.
She cited the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which she said provides young people with Sh50,000 to start businesses.
The MP, who said she serves on Parliament’s Social Protection Committee, argued that counties should establish similar initiatives to address youth unemployment and expand economic opportunities.
“Why should we not have our own county NYOTA, so that while the national government does its part, the county government also boosts young people to keep working?” she posed.
She said her proposed administration would support graduates and young entrepreneurs seeking to translate their skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Ms Ng’ang’a also promised that graduates from constituency sponsored training programmes would receive financial assistance to establish themselves, saying she would provide each with Sh100,000 if elected governor.
The proposal formed part of her broader appeal to voters to consider her leadership record and development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
She urged young people to evaluate political leaders based on their ability to deliver tangible results rather than promises made during election campaigns.
The Thika MP used the graduation ceremony to openly campaign for the Kiambu governorship, asking voters to give women an opportunity to lead the county.
She said her experience in business and Parliament had prepared her for the responsibilities of county leadership.
“Give a mother a chance this time. A mother wants to play her part,” she said.
Ms Ng’ang’a said her ambition was driven by a desire to expand opportunities for young people, improve access to education and support vulnerable families.
She urged voters to choose leaders with whom they had established a working relationship and whose performance they could assess.
The MP also defended the importance of continuity in development, saying elected leaders should be allowed to complete projects and fulfil their commitments before being judged politically.
She cited investments in education, roads and other infrastructure in Kiambaa, saying the constituency had made progress under Mr Kawanjiku’s leadership.
The remarks placed her among politicians already positioning themselves for the Kiambu gubernatorial contest, with youth empowerment, education and development emerging as key campaign themes.
In a separate intervention during the ceremony, Ms Ng’ang’a announced that she had taken responsibility for supporting a young woman who had secured admission to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) but had been unable to join due to financial difficulties.
She identified the student as Mase Wanjiko Mwangi, saying she had been admitted to the university last year but remained at home because of school fees.
The MP announced that she had adopted the student and pledged to help her pursue her university education.
“I have adopted her to be my daughter,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Her announcement came as she urged leaders to prioritise education and ensure that financial challenges did not prevent deserving students from accessing higher learning.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Kawanjiku, other political leaders, graduates and their parents.
Mr Kawanjiku praised Ms Ng’ang’a’s intervention, saying leaders should be judged by their commitment to supporting families and improving the lives of their constituents.
He also urged residents to prioritise development and service delivery when making political choices in the next election.
The event was marked by celebrations as graduates received their certificates, with Ms Ng’ang’a encouraging them to remain ambitious and use their newly acquired skills to improve their economic prospects.
She said the government, political leaders and families had a shared responsibility to create an environment in which young people could thrive.
