State gives Sh2.5m tools to empower Garissa youth

The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority has stepped up youth empowerment programme by donating tools and equipment to registered youth groups.

MSEA chairman James Mureu handed over three gasoline car washing machines, two welding machines, a set of mechanical tool kit, two universal vehicle diagnosis kit and their accessories all valued at Sh2.5 million to two Garissa-based youth organisations.

He said the government was determined to address unemployment among the youth by empowering them.

Mureu urged registered groups who receive government donated equipment to take good care of them through regular maintenance and servicing.

He said the equipment and the tools are meant to improve their business enterprises and in the long term improve quality of life.

"It’s my prayer you will use this equipment to better your lives and earn a decent living. I want to appeal to the recipient to take care good of these donations (equipment). They are yours to build and better your lives and that of the community around you,” Mureu said.

 “Do not allow these donations to go to waste through mismanagement and squabbles among yourselves. They have been given for free yes, but the aim is to boost your business enterprises and put money in your pockets. That was President William Ruto’s slogan during his campaigns,” he added.

“You have been given a seed to plant and build yourselves. These (equipment) will turn around your lives and those of the community you are living in if you utilise them for the intended purpose.” 

Mureu said President Ruto stressed during his campaign that his main concern were the people at the bottom of the pyramid. “We have come to Garissa to show that the President means business. We are here to walk the talk. He (President) promised a lot when he was campaigning and we are here to actualise these on the ground,” Mureu said.

Mureu also called on the residents of Garissa to tap on the rich and fertile land along the river Tana to carry out irrigation farming.

He said the board is willing to support the irrigation farmers by providing irrigation engine machines and other equipment so that they can produce food and horticultural crops.

This he noted will enable MSEA to look for investors who will set agro-processing factories so that they can do value addition on fruits such as apples, pineapple, watermelon, mangoes among others that do well in the region.

“This way, the farmers will reap more from their produce and the local economy will improve,” he said.

He at the same time urged both national and county government to work together noting that time for politicking was over.

Ben Ndirangu, the chairman of chapa kazi association which received a welding machine and a car washing machine, thanked the government for the donation and promised to utilise the equipment to create jobs opportunities for their members.

Mesuny boda boda auto spare and garage association chairperson Muktar Issack said they will engage their 35 members fully in the business so that it can expand and create more jobs for idle and jobless youth in Garissa town.

-Edited by SKanyara