Kiambaa Member of Parliament Njuguna Kawanjiku has reaffirmed his commitment to empowering young people through practical skills training, saying the constituency’s short courses programme is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony for students who had completed various short courses sponsored through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Kawanjiku said equipping young people with marketable skills was central to his development agenda.
He said the initiative was conceived to prepare Kiambaa’s youth for the job market while creating opportunities for self employment and economic independence.
The legislator challenged stakeholders to measure the success of empowerment programmes not merely by the number of graduates but by their ability to translate acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the trust you placed in me translates into tangible opportunities that improve livelihoods and make a difference in your everyday lives,” Mr Njuguna said.
He said the programme was part of deliberate efforts to address the challenges facing young people seeking employment and those interested in establishing their own income generating ventures.
Among the courses offered is caregiving, a field that has increasingly attracted interest from young people seeking employment opportunities in the health and social care sectors.
Kawanjiku said the constituency was investing in practical training that could open doors to employment while enabling graduates to become financially independent.
He expressed optimism that the training would give beneficiaries the foundation to pursue meaningful careers and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
“Empowerment must go beyond training; it must translate into better livelihoods,” he said.
The MP said the graduation marked an important milestone in Kiambaa’s efforts to expand opportunities for young people, adding that development should be judged by its impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
He maintained that investing in youth was not an afterthought but a deliberate strategy to secure the future of the constituency.
“Development is about creating opportunities that change lives,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Kiambu senator aspirant Kogi Investor.
Kawanjiku thanked the leaders for joining the graduates and supporting efforts to strengthen youth empowerment initiatives in the constituency.
Their presence, he said, underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of young people.
The short courses programme forms part of the constituency’s broader efforts to equip residents with practical competencies that can improve their employability and economic prospects.
For the graduates, the ceremony marked the culmination of their training and the beginning of a new phase in which they are expected to put their skills to use in pursuit of employment and self-reliance.
Kawanjiku said his administration would continue prioritising initiatives that provide young people with practical opportunities to improve their lives, insisting that skills development must be accompanied by pathways to economic independence.
