KCB Foundation, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Africa Works (YAW) project, has graduated 248 youth from across various counties in Western Kenya, marking a significant step in the joint effort to tackle youth unemployment in the country.

The youth, comprising 41 graduates from Nzalwa Vocational Training Center in Vihiga County, 107 from Chevaywa Technical and Vocational College in Kakamega County, and 100 from Matili Technical Training Institute in Bungoma County, were equipped with market-relevant technical skills. 

Speaking about the milestone, KCB Foundation Director Mendi Njonjo said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, we are keen on tackling underemployment and unemployment in East Africa. This is why we have taken proactive steps to equip young people with the technical skills that can increase employability and boost income generation. The 248 young people who have graduated in Western Kenya mark yet another important step in our collective effort to attain this goal.”

During the ceremonies, graduates were empowered to take their next step in the world of work. A total of 123 start-up toolkits were handed over to participants, providing them with the resources to launch their own ventures. 

The distribution included 19 toolkits at Nzalwa Vocational Training Center, 48 at Chevaywa Technical and Vocational College, and 56 at Matili Technical Training Institute. 

Youth unemployment remains one of Kenya’s toughest challenges, and for the past five years, KCB Foundation and Mastercard Foundation have been tackling it head-on. The initiative is equipping 8,500 young people with practical skills in key economic sectors, a move expected to generate and sustain over 43,000 jobs while opening up new income opportunities for thousands of households.

“Through interventions from corporates such as KCB Foundation and Mastercard Foundation, we can support the youth in the country, giving them opportunities to harness their potential, to improve their livelihoods, those of their families, and the communities around them. These strategic steps align perfectly with what we are doing,” noted Webuye East Member of Parliament Hon. Martin Pepela, who attended the Matili Technical Training Institute graduation ceremony. 

The project offers support in technical vocational education and training of vulnerable youth in short courses for 6 – 9 months. This is achieved through practical-oriented vocational training, life skills, work readiness training, and enterprise development skills necessary to drive employment opportunities and wealth creation. 

Each training intake runs for six months and consists of three months of classroom and three months’ industrial attachment with practical to address the skills gaps. 

The trainees are then funnelled into employment opportunities once they complete their attachment, and those interested in establishing their micro-enterprises are supported in Business Development Services (BDS), equipped with trade-specific starter toolkits, and provided start-up and working capital by KCB Bank through the Foundation. 

To date, the 2Jiajiri Programme has trained over 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.