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The Government is targeting 50,000 youth under the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP).

ICT Ministry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Nadia Ahmed Abdalla yesterday urged youth from 17 counties to take advantage of the Sh15 billion project meant to boost job opportunities under the Ministry.

“I have been on the ground and have seen what KYEOP has done for our young people. Lazima tukumbuke Kenya ni mimi na wewe (Let us remember that this is our country) and there there is a lot we can do with the opportunities we have been given,” said Abdalla.

She made the remarks when assessing the Institute of Certified Studies in Nairobi, on the preparedness of KYEOP training providers to resume youth training, which was stopped due to coronavirus disease.

She lauded the project for equipping youth with skills that they can use to land jobs, start their own businesses and employ other people.

During the event, the CAS also toured a number of exhibitions by KYEOP on Knitting, Fashion and Design and Artwork beneficiaries.

The fourth cycle of the training and internship was suspended in March due to the Covid-19.

Over the last three weeks, ministry officials have been conducting master craftsmen and formal training providers assessment to gauge their preparedness to resume the project.

The team has assessed centres in Mombasa, Kitui, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kisii and other KYEOP participating counties to ensure that they are ready to resume training while conforming to safety measures.

The KYEOP project is a Government project financed by World Bank targeting youth between 18- 29 years of Form 4 level and below.

The five-year project seeks to improve youth employability, support job creation, improve labour market information and strengthen youth policy development.

The project is implemented in 17 counties that include: Mombasa, Kilifi, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Machakos, Kitui and Migori counties.

The selection of counties was done based on population density, poverty levels, rural-urban mix, demographics of the population, presence of implementing agencies, and opportunities for youth to access entrepreneurship and job opportunities.

So far, 32,124 youth have received training and internship in both the formal and informal sector out of which 75 per cent have secured employment according to a report from an independent research firm.

A further 9,951 business support beneficiaries have received grants of Sh40,000 each amounting to Sh329 million while 4,204 youth have received business development services