Kiambu Town MP launches free weekend short courses

Kiambu Town Member of Parliament Machua Waithaka has unveiled a new youth empowerment programme aimed at equipping young people with practical skills through free weekend short courses.

The initiative, launched in partnership with the International Youth Fellowship, targets over 600 youth drawn from the constituency’s four wards. It seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering hands-on training in various technical and vocational fields.

According to Waithaka, the programme is designed to provide young people with market-ready skills that can enable them to either secure jobs or start their own businesses. Among the courses on offer are catering, cosmetology, paramedics training, foreign languages such as French and Korean, plumbing, electrical engineering, tailoring and barbering.

Speaking on the programme, the MP emphasised the need to invest in practical training as a way of addressing unemployment among the youth. He noted that many young people struggle to access opportunities despite having academic qualifications, largely due to a lack of technical skills.

“This initiative is about empowering our youth with skills that can transform their lives. We want them to be self-reliant and able to create opportunities for themselves,” Waithaka said.

The weekend format of the courses is expected to benefit participants who may be engaged during weekdays, including students and those already in informal employment. The programme also aims to ensure flexibility and accessibility for a wider number of beneficiaries.

Waithaka added that the collaboration with the International Youth Fellowship will enhance the quality of training offered, ensuring that participants receive practical, industry-relevant knowledge. He expressed confidence that the initiative will have a long-term impact on the economic well-being of the constituency.

Residents have welcomed the move, noting that skills-based training programmes are key to addressing the rising unemployment levels among young people. Many expressed optimism that the initiative will open doors for entrepreneurship and reduce overreliance on formal employment.

The MP reiterated his commitment to supporting youth-focused programmes, saying such initiatives are central to building a productive and resilient community. He encouraged eligible young people to take advantage of the opportunity and enrol in the courses.

As Kiambu continues to invest in development, the programme signals a growing focus on empowering youth through skills development, positioning them as key drivers of economic growth and innovation within the constituency.