Laikipia youth urged to access Fund to boost their businesses

Youth in Laikipia county have been urged to make use of over Sh30 million available from the Enterprise fund to boost their businesses.Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu speaking in Nanyuki during the launch of an education scholarship for needy students, said the county had several kitties to support young people to prosper in businesses and in education.'Youth don't stay home and lament that there are no bursaries for your education or for businesses. Come out and we will support you,' urged the governor.He revealed that the county had Laikipia Enterprise fund, Innovative and Laikipia Cooperative revolving fund which were underutilized hence call on youth to take advantage.'We have various categories of funds which youth should take advantage of, those who get tenders in our government and lack funds to finance, can use this kitty. All what they need is to bring the LPO (Local Purchase Order) and get the money for the work,' said the county boss.He added that the loan was charged at 6 percent interes t aimed at enabling young people access the funds for their smooth business operations and to uplift their lives.At the same time, Irungu urged stakeholders in the business sectors for partnership aimed at formulating strategies geared towards unlocking youth-led opportunities in the county.Further, he pointed out that youth needed to be equipped with technical skills and added that he would engage with technical vocational and training institutes (TVETs) to remove bottlenecks that could hamper young people from obtaining technical courses.Laikipia Skills and Technical Training Institute director Paul Mwaniki said that the youth crisis in the county has been fueled by joblessness which over time has borne hopelessness in the young generation.He reiterated that the only way to support youth was through unlocking their potential by offering technical courses that would enable them to create employment for themselves.Source: Kenya News Agency