Youths ask county to absorb them after volunteering for 2 years

Volunteers at the Isiolo Youth Innovation Centre, whose goal is to provide incubation spaces for unique innovations, and harness and hone youth talents for economic empowerment, have appealed to the county government to absorb them.

The innovation centre was established by the Kenya School of Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Isiolo County Government in 2020.

The unpaid workers, who are professionals in various fields including culture, communication, guidance and counselling, ICT, advocacy, and administrative assistants, said delayed absorption into the county government has continued to expose them to inexplicable suffering as they are struggling to pay their bills.

Saadia Hassan Tache, who has been with the centre for over three years, stated that they were given evasive responses whenever they inquired about why they were not being considered for permanent positions, despite having volunteered for more than six months.

"We have worked all that time without even a monthly stipend. We should have been absorbed after six months, but more than three years later, we are here begging to be considered," the sign language interpreter attached to the communication department said.

Saadia is one of three volunteers whose names were announced by County Secretary Dade Boru during last year's Youth Day celebrations at Isiolo Boys Grounds, where he promised their immediate absorption.

Another volunteer, Wilson Kabon, claimed that the centre's intention had been hijacked by a few youths who were managing it to the detriment of the majority of other deserving young people.

An aerial view of Isiolo town. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

"We are afraid that the innovation centre might not achieve its intended purpose in the absence of a clear structure," he said, demanding radical measures to streamline the centre, which he said was designed to support youths from across the 10 wards.

The volunteers demanded an overhaul of the centre's leadership and replacement be done on merit and not based on political affiliations.

"The centre is supposed to help local youths develop their innovations into enterprises to help address unemployment, but that goal has not been achieved," Saadia said.

With an ICT cyberspace and a computer lab for capacity-building activities, the centre was expected to keep youth fully engaged and informed of government opportunities to prevent indulgence in drug abuse and joining terror groups.

The 17 volunteers met with the centre manager on Monday, but their concerns were not addressed, prompting them to seek an audience with County Secretary Dade Boru, who ostensibly promised to meet them tomorrow.

The county government earlier stated that since its inception in October 2020, the centre has empowered more than 4000 youths through training on computer packages, financial literacy, training, and mentorship, tens of them have secured employment, and others have gone to colleges.

It is estimated that youth unemployment in the county stands at 70 per cent.

Youth leader Farah Hassan and activist Mohammed Ayub called for the streamlining of the centre to ensure it benefits as many youths as possible.

"We demand accountability for good governance at the centre," Mohammed said.