About 15 youths from Murang’a county have been feted for making significant impacts and excelling in various fields, while setting the pace for their counterparts.

Among the winners of the under-40 awards was Youth executive Manoah Gachucha, who was honoured for championing programmes that have empowered the youth.

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The awards organised by Novotech Africa focused on innovation, agriculture, youth advocacy, business, music and religion among other sectors.

Gachucha has spearheaded the Murang’a Youth Service programme that has so far benefitted close to 10,000 youths who are engaged by the county government to provide casual labour for three months before being enrolled in local TVETs, where they undertake free courses.

“We employ them for three months and then give them Sh15,000 start-up capital when they complete their short courses,” he said.

In May, the county will engage the eighth cohort of beneficiaries who help keep towns clean using a model similar to the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme implemented by the Jubilee government.

The youth has also overseen sports tournaments that have kept youths busy and away from drugs in all wards.

“I’m accepting this award on behalf of my county government," Gachucha said.

"We are keen on supporting the youth, who are the majority in the population. Once we complete the Special Economic Zone, thousands of them will get jobs and the economy will get a boost.”

Jedidah Njambi, another winner, was recognised for using her experience as a nurse to create awareness on HIV-Aids and cervical cancer in the grassroots.

Njambi, who works at Makuyu Health Centre, has been using churches and other public forums to educate residents on the two conditions, emphasising the need for frequent screening.

She said she started the campaign after realising that many people were contracting the two conditions and living with them for long periods of time without a diagnosis.

“This compromises their health. By the time they are seeking medical assistance, the diseases have gone too far. Especially with cervical cancer”.

Further, a number of people in the villages had no idea that cervical cancer can be transmitted through sexual activities.

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent, long-term infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papilloma Virus that is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during sex.

Her vision, she said, is to ensure all adults understand sexually transmitted infections and the complications they can cause so they can make informed decisions.

Thuku Kanyoro won the innovation award for coming up with an application that has helped many NGCDF committees allocate bursaries in Murang’a county.

The system distinguishes the financial needs of learners and disburses the funds accordingly.

While addressing his counterparts, Kanyoro reiterated the need for youths to take advantage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create streams of income.

“The main challenge being faced by the youth today is lack of opportunities, but AI is sealing this gap. Let’s ignore the perception that AI is here to take our jobs and use it to make our lives better”.

He said instead of using AI to spread misinformation on social media, the youths should use it to create solutions to everyday challenges facing Kenyans and earn from it.

The organisation’s programmes lead Mburu Karanja said the awards were aimed at recognising the numerous achievements made by young people but also helping them to further excel in their activities.

“We have awarded youths who have demonstrated leadership or innovation in their sector. Afterwards, we will connect them with partners who will help them to further develop their abilities,” he said.

This includes youths who will require funds or support to access the market for their innovations.

The winners will further be taken through a mentorship programme that will see them engage in peer-to-peer networking and acquire the guidance of mentors.

Nominated MP Sabina Chege, who attended the awards, said she was proud to see local youths excelling and setting an example for others.

She challenged young people to take challenges without fear, explaining that when she started life, she didn’t know she’d become a leader.

“I started as a house help before seeing the TV show Tausi and auditioning for it," she said.

"That’s how I started acting and joined university for my degree. Afterwards, I got a job at a vernacular station, where I worked at night because I was going to school during day time.”

Now a Master’s degree holder, Chege said her drive to join politics stemmed from her drive to pay school fees for needy students through her foundation, encouraging the youths to give back to the society when they find opportunities.