By Lilian Nyambura and Lucy Ndeti

In a heartening boost for young Kenyans in underserved communities, the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2) and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) initiative have joined forces to roll out comprehensive skills development programs.

This collaboration, under KISIP2's Component 2 on Socio-Economic Inclusion Planning, is set to equip youth with vital employability skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities, paving the way for brighter futures.

The initiative aligns seamlessly with the State’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes uplifting the socio-economic well-being of residents in informal settlements.

KISIP 2 is a State project being implemented by the Government of Kenya (GOK) through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with county governments through funding by the World Bank, the Agence Française de Development (AFD) and a grant from the European Union (EU).

By focusing on practical training, the program aims to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, fostering self-reliance and community growth in some of the country's most vulnerable areas.

“This holistic approach aligns everyone with the project's high standards, ethical guidelines, and operational expectations, promising a supportive and inclusive learning environment,” noted Zena Kurui, Head of Socio-Economic Inclusion Planning who spoke at the sidelines of one of the workshops.

Kicking off with enthusiasm, robust induction sessions for trainers and trainer assistants have begun across 89 informal settlements in 22 counties, including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Nakuru, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Nyeri, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nairobi, Wajir, and Kajiado. These sessions, facilitated by Teams of Trainers (ToTs) and the State Department for Youth Affairs, are designed to ensure that all participants grasp the curriculum's goals and effective delivery methods.

She added that beyond technical skills, the inductions emphasize strengthening trainers' abilities to support the psychosocial well-being of youth in KISIP communities.

The launch events drew key stakeholders, including KISIP2 County Project Coordination Teams (CPCTs), National Project Coordination Team (NPCT) and County Directors for Housing, NYOTA Project Management Unit (PMU), County Youth Officers, Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) representatives, and Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) members.

“As trainings gear up, this partnership stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating how targeted investments in youth can spark widespread socio-economic progress. With skills in hand, these young individuals are poised to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation at large,” added Zenah.

Lilian is a Land Surveyor while Lucy is a Valuer at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development both attached to KISIP2