175 Kamukunji youth receive business equipment from President Ruto to boost employment and income

On Monday, 43 youth groups with a total membership of 175 from across Kamukunji Constituency received business equipment pledged by President William Ruto during their visit to State House on Saturday.

The distribution took place at Eastleigh High School, where young people from different wards collected tools and machines tailored to their specific requests.

The equipment included motorbikes, carwash stations, public address systems, catering equipment, tailoring machines, salon and barbershop kits, juice vending machines, egg trolleys, pool tables, wood-cutting machines, fully equipped posho mills, large format printers, street photography equipment, as well as rickshaws.

This initiative aims to support youth-led enterprises, helping young people start or expand businesses that provide income and employment opportunities.

The atmosphere at the school was lively, with beneficiaries expressing optimism that the equipment would help them build sustainable livelihoods and reduce reliance on casual or irregular work.

Maryam Juma from California Ward received catering equipment, including plates and sufurias. She plans to rent them out for events like weddings and community meetings, believing this will provide a steady income.

Catering services

"When I hire them to wedding functions, meetings, as a citizen, it will be of benefit to me," she said. Maryam added that offering catering services without purchasing the items outright would make her business more competitive.

In Pumwani Ward, a youth group from Shauri Moyo, led by Steven Nzioka, received a fully equipped posho mill. Nzioka said the group plans to start a milling business that will create jobs and help divert unemployed youth from unlawful activities.

"We are very thankful as this machine will help us, we can also create employment for youth who have found themselves in crime," he said.

The Nairobi Handicraft group also received a wood-cutting machine. Their chairman, David Kilonzo, explained that previously they had to travel long distances for such services, which slowed production and raised costs.

Efficiency

"We are thankful to the president through our area Member of Parliament, Yusuf Hassan, they have really helped us a lot," Kilonzo said. Having the machine nearby will allow the group to process wood more efficiently and meet orders on time.

In Eastleigh South Ward, Charles Ouma and colleagues, who run a car wash business in the informal settlement of Motherland, received a water tank and a high-pressure washer. Ouma said the equipment will enable them to open a new car wash facility, creating more jobs for local youth.

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"It will empower the youth in Eastleigh South Ward, especially the Motherland area. We had one car wash, now with this we shall have another one and give employment to other youths," he said.

The equipment distribution is part of a broader government strategy to empower youth groups with tools and resources that promote income generation, reduce unemployment, and support community development.

This marks another step in ongoing efforts to channel government resources toward small-scale enterprises in urban and peri-urban areas, aiming to foster self-reliance among Kenya’s youth.