Machakos County Executive Committee Member for Education, Dr. Consolata Mutisya addressing the Media after receiving the second cohort of the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme at the Machakos Youth Training Camp in Machakos Town on January 19, 2026. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
The second cohort of the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme on Tuesday reported to the Machakos Youth Training Camp in Machakos Town, marking a major expansion of the county’s flagship skills development initiative.
A total of 1,500 youths have been admitted into the programme, up from 1,000 trainees enrolled last year, reflecting the growing demand for vocational training among young people in Machakos County.
The trainees will undergo a three-week residential induction programme aimed at instilling discipline, patriotism and essential life skills. Upon completion, they will be deployed to pursue courses of their choice across eight different vocational training areas designed to equip them with practical, market-driven skills.
Speaking to the press during the reporting exercise, Machakos County Executive Committee Member for Education, Dr. Consolata Mutisya, said the beneficiaries were competitively recruited from all the 40 wards in the county to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
Dr. Mutisya noted that a majority of the youths come from humble and disadvantaged backgrounds, adding that the programme is a deliberate intervention by the county government to tackle youth unemployment and improve livelihoods.
“This programme is about giving our young people a second chance. By equipping them with practical skills, we are empowering them to become self-reliant and productive members of society,” she said.
One of the trainees, Lenah Mutinda from Kalama Sub-County, expressed gratitude to the County Government of Machakos, saying the initiative had renewed her hope for a better future.
“I feel privileged to be part of this programme. It has given me confidence that I can acquire skills that will help me support myself and my family,” she said.
Parents who accompanied their children to the training camp expressed joy and relief after their sons and daughters were selected into the highly competitive programme, terming it a life-changing opportunity.
The County Government has assured residents that plans are underway to further increase the number of recruits in the coming years, in a bid to meet the rising demand for vocational training and empower more youths across Machakos County.
