It was in partnership with the German Government’s (GIZ) programme through Employment for Skills Development in Africa (E4D).

The initiative was launched in 2016 and has created over 119,000 jobs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda.

Locally, it has created 1,257 businesses, 7,272 jobs directly and indirectly, and supported over 10,000 households.

“We are deliberate and committed to changing the youth story by creating more jobs for them. We will incorporate the youth in all government projects, beginning with the housing agenda that seeks to create opportunities for 1 million youth,” President William Ruto said.

President Ruto revealed that the programme aims to create at least 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs while helping to set up 30,000 businesses over the next five years.

German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ’s) and Employment and Skills for Development in Africa (E4D) Kenya Team Leader Thomas Jaeschke said that the goal of the programme is to generate more decent and sustainable employment in East Africa.

“We leverage an integrated approach that includes upskilling to make small and medium-sized businesses more competitive, so they can meet the growing demand for supplies and services in the East Africa market,” Jaeschke said.

KCB Group Chairman Joseph Kinyua revealed that the programme is gaining new entries in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the target of benefiting youth and creating thousands of new jobs later this year.

Kinyua added that the 2Jiajiri Programme is looking forward to raising a young generation of highly skilled and reliable masons, electricians, carpenters, hairdressers, and mechanics.

“We are giving youths what they deserve, to dignify the informal sector which we believe will boost their morale in contributing to East Africa’s growth agenda. Our youth will gain skills and access finances that will help them buy tools and acquire knowledge that will give them dignity in their work, “Said KCB Group chairman Joseph Kinyua

According to KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo, the 2Jiajiri Programme is giving the youth meaningful opportunities to start and grow their businesses.

“We are seeing a growing crop of bright-eyed young entrepreneurs whose passion is contagious and whose perspective of the world and the future is always exciting,” Russo said.

To date, 22,959 youth have received technical and entrepreneurial training, and Sh259 million has been disbursed as loans to enable youth to set up business enterprises through the provision of capital.