By Nancy Juma
About 200 youths from Kisumu County are set to benefit from a nationwide Business Idea Competition Programme dubbed, ” Plug Mtaani – Vijana 2Invest”.
The innovative initiative is being implemented by the National Government through the State Department of Commerce- MITI in collaboration with Kisumu County Department of Trade, Business and Marketing, Kenya Investments Authority, RadicoKenya, Institute of Certified Start and Improve Your Business (SIYIB), Trainers and Cresent 360 Media
The 10-year programme set to revolutionize the lives and livelihoods of youths aims at building capacity for 200 youths at the county level by training them on how to generate feasible and innovative business ideas, training on how to develop bankable business plans and linking them to financing opportunities, grants and investors, as well as creating a saving and investment culture.
The programme which aims at fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, resilience, and determination among the youth was launched today by Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Ochieng Owili who represented the Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex in Kisumu.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Owili said the County Government was inviting applications from youths coverimg various sectors including: Blue Economy, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Manufacturing and Value Addition, Information Technology and Digital Services, Trade, Transport and Logistics, Tourism and Hospitality as well as Renewable Energy and Environmental Conservation. Application details are available on the County website at www.kisumu.go.ke with the deadline set for 29th September, 2023.
At the end of the competion open to youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years, the programme will award the best business case with Ksh.10 million as a start up capital with the first and second runners up getting Ksh. 5 million and 2 million respectively at the national level. Dr. Owili also noting that the County will award the winner and two runners up wit Kshs. 50,000, 40,000, and 30,000 respectively. The County will go a step further to reward all the 41 qualifiers at the sub counties with Kshs. 20,000 each.
Dr. Owili called upon all the youth to plug into the innovative opportunity and be part of the County development and transformative agenda.
The National Government representative and Coordinator of Plug Mtaani Geofrey Kilonzo noted that the programme will be carried out in all the 47 counties across the country challenging the youth in Kisumu County to take up the opportunity and run with it.
” Do not sleep on your ideas, please step up and be noticed”. He expressed
He added that the youths will undergo extensive training by the International Labour Organization and other partners aboard the programme. He advised the youth to analyse the value chain of the different sectors and come up with innovative ideas.
A television show will be running from 30th October showcasing the best pitches by the youths from the 47 devolved units. Each County shall present the best three pitches coming to 141 qualifiers for the final national competition.
GPU
25/09/2023
JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA SPORTS COMPLEX