Devolution isn’t just about infrastructure, but also empowerment – Kalonzo

Kalonzo said gains brought about by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 are practical and felt in most parts of the country, including Machakos County.

“Today’s gathering is a living testimony of what can happen when devolution works. When counties invest in their people. This celebration is therefore bigger than a mere presentation of certificates,” Kalonzo said

He spoke when he presided over the Machakos Youth Empowerment program graduation ceremony in Machakos County on Tuesday.

The graduands were issued various tools of trade in line with their training, ranging from construction, catering, salon, mechanics, tailoring, tools and equipment, shoes,…

Kalonzo said the graduation of the 1,000 youth who had undertaken various technical courses courtesy of Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration was a living testimony of what happens when development meets empowerment.

He said the power of devolution lies in its ability to bring government, opportunities, and hope closer to the people.

The former vice president said that before 2010, much of our country’s progress was decided in Nairobi.

“When we promulgated the new Constitution of Kenya on August 27, 2010, key among its most deliberated pillars was devolution,” Kalonzo said.

He said with the new Constitution, Kenyans were clear that they needed to address deep-rooted challenges that had persisted since independence, including marginalisation, inequality and the over-centralisation of power and resources in Nairobi.

“Thus, with devolution, every county, including Machakos, was given the authority, resources and responsibility to shape its own future,” he said.

“Devolution is not just about building roads, markets, but also empowering people. Infrastructure is important, yes; those roads, bridges, dams, but citizens’ empowerment is also required,” Kalonzo added.

Kalonzo said youth empowerment is changing African nations, Kenya included.

Kisumu County, for instance, youth trained on green energy run community solar projects while people are processing mangoes into juice and exporting them abroad in Makueni County.

He said youth groups are leading recycling enterprises in Kajiado, turning plastics into profits.

“Even across Africa in Rwanda and Ghana, youth empowerment programs are producing digital entrepreneurs, investors and agripreneurs who transform the entire economy; and now right here in Machakos, through this program, 1000 young people were enrolled and taken into a rigorous 21-day boot camp followed by technical training.

These young men and women mustered new skills, gained confidence and have discovered their potential. This is truly devolution in action within a framework of a small budget and is government working hand in hand with communities to unlock opportunities of the grassroots,” Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo said it was proof that when you empower the youth, you end up empowering the entire nation.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the ceremony was a culmination of her government’s clear commitment and infinite passion to place youth at the heart of Machakos County’s development agenda.

She said her administration was cognizant of the fact that development is not just about roads, buildings or infrastructure. It is also about people.

It is about unlocking potential, nurturing dreams and building a generation that is self-reliant, innovative and productive.

“My mission has always been clear; to equip our young people with the knowledge, skills and values they need to succeed through working with dignity and shaping their own destinies,” Ndeti said..

The Governor said the program began with 1,000 enthusistic young men and women drawn from across the 40 Wards in Machakos County. Each of them had a dream-a spark and a determination to change his/her life.

She said the youth were trained on welding, electrical works, mechanics, plumbing, masonry, catering, tailoring, hair dressing, carpentry, DJ, and events management.

“My government ensured that every trainee sat for the NITA examination fully sponsored by the County Government because we believe in equal opportunity for all. Today I am proud to announce that out of the 1,000 trainees, 967 passed their examinations. To the 33 who did not pass, do not give up, this is not the end. It is just the beginning of another attempt. You will re-sit the examination, come back stronger and succeed. Remember failure is never final, Resilience is what defines winners” Ndeti said.