Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Waithera popularly known as WaMaua has implored the youth in Maragua to exploit government-funded opportunities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutes (TVETs)
The move, she said, will not only solve alcohol and substance abuse among the young people in the area but also empower them economically amidst the high levels of joblessness in the country.
Speaking in Maragua town during a public forum (baraza), WaMaua lamented that the recently established technical training institute in Maragua has registered very low intake of trainees from the area, which she said was proof that the residents and the local community have not embraced it.
‘If we will ever change the story of Maragua, it is by empowering our young men and women by keeping them busy and engaged and that is why the government set up Murang’a Technical Training Institute in this area,’ she observed.
‘We know how scarce jobs are so I urge you to encourage your sons and daughters to join TVETs where they will gain skills and be able to get into self-employment and even create employment for others,’ Wamaua added.
The MP further noted that the technical institute has well-built infrastructure and has the prerequisite facilities for provision of quality technical skills, business skills and entrepreneurial studies.
‘It is alarming that MTTI is not recording any trainees from this area apart from the 200 students that we sponsored at the beginning,’ she said.
Encourage the young people to join TVETs as it will prepare them for work as they will gain work related skills and consequently earn a livelihood.
Robin Wacira, the Principal Murang’a technical training institute Maragua echoed the MP’s sentiments noting that the population of trainees from Maragua had tremendously reduced.
‘If your child has gone up to form-four, kindly enroll them in a TVET, the grade they scored notwithstanding because one way of reducing insecurity and lawlessness in the country is by ensuring that children are busy and engaged,’ he noted
Wacira underscored the need to not only concentrate in the boda boda industry but also TVETs at it offer a variety of courses that will prepare the student for the job market by giving them the necessary skills.
‘From mechanical engineering courses, plumbing skills, automotive engineering and even business courses, enrolling your child in a TVET will empower them and subsequently save a generation from the ruins of alcohol, drugs and other substance abuse.
The public forum that was attended by Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Gitonga Murungi and the sub county security team addressed a range of issues touching on security, illicit brews, drug and substance abuse as well as the general developments that are lined up in Maragua.
Source: Kenya News Agency