The national government is set to build a stadium in Murang’a County Sports and Youth Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has said .
Namwamba spoke at Ihura stadium where he joined Governor Irungu Kang’ata in launching the county youth service programme.
Namwamba revealed that the facility will meet the international standards fit to hold reputable sporting championships adding that the facility will boslter talents in the region as well as growing the economy of the region.
“Murang’a has played a pivotal role in the economic development of this country and unfortunately the county has no modern stadium. Considering its proximity to Nairobi, the government will put up a stadium for natural talents and also be able to host national and international games,” he added.
He asked leaders in the county to rally behind the project which he said will uplift livelihoods.
The CS accompanied Muranga County governor Irungu Kangata in launching the programme which will see a total of 4, 000 youth engaged in short term jobs for a period of three months.
In every quarter, 1, 050 youth will be enrolled in the programme involving cleaning and beautification of local towns within the county.
In the Sh115 million programme, each youth will earn a stipend of Sh400 per day where after the first two months, the youths would be sponsored to undertake a short artisan course for one month at local TVET institutions.
Namwamba lauded the programme saying the national government would partner with Murang’a county government to ensure effective implementation of the initiative.
“With this kind of programme aimed to benefit young people, the majority of programmes meant for young earmarked to be implemented by the national government, Murang’a will be integrated and those in the county youth services will also benefit some of the programmes being implemented by my ministry,” he added.
On his part, Governor Kang’ata said the youth programme is structured to ensure scores of young people are engaged in short term employment opportunities throughout the year.
“After end of every three months, the youths will be given Sh15, 000 and a tool-kit by the county government to enable them start small projects to generate income,” he stated.
Kang’ata promised that this would be an ongoing annual programme since it has been ratified by Murang’a County Assembly as Murang’a County Youth Service Policy 2023.
Apart from the youth service, the devolved administration is also engaging another 2,082 youth under a paid internship programme spread out across the 10 Departments of Murang’a County Government.
The governor noted, this is to ensure University Graduates from Murang’a County get a Chance to acquire work experience to Kick-start their various professions.
Report by Bernard Munyao
