At least 600 youth service cohorts have been enrolled into Meru National Polytechnic as part of the Governor's Sh100 million empowerment project.
Floral Makena, from Mwanganthia Ward in Imenti Central couldn't hide her joy.
She will study business accountancy.
"After finishing school I wanted to pursue my dream career but financial constraints got in the way," Makena said.
"We are waiting for admission numbers. I am grateful to Governor Kiraitu Murungi for the life-changing empowerment initiative that allows me to achieve my goal."
Youth and Sports executive Daniel Kiogora said the 600 were part of 1,000 recruited two months ago.
He said they will acquire many key skills through training.
Some of the 600 youth service cohorts who joined Meru National Polytechnic on June 29, 2018. /GERALD MUTETHIA
Kiogora said the remaining 400 youths were attending a two-week camp at Cathedral in Imenti North Constituency.
They are being trained on community health and NHIF registration, so they can take part in a door to door sensitisation campaign for universal health coverage.
This is one of the pillars of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda. The others are food security, manufacturing and affordable housing.
The camp will cost the county Sh5 million, the executive said.
"In partnership with the KCB Foundation, we will create a fund and issue free interest capital to Meru Youth Service for the cohorts to establish their own businesses," he said.
This is part of the Sh100 million for the year.
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Polytechnic principal Geofrey Rukunja said they were ready to educate the 600 youths.
"We are well prepared to accommodate the 200 women and 400 men. We have sufficient infrastructure," he said.
The youths will study subjects including civil engineering and construction, agriculture, horticulture, cosmetology, as well as catering and accommodation management.
They will also study business skills, entrepreneurship, life skills, and matter to do with automobiles.
Rukunja asked them to adhere to international standards of the subjects and be disciplined.