A peace initiative aimed at unifying Pokot and Marakwet communities in the North Rift has offered scholarship opportunities to over 2000 youth joining technical and vocational educational training institutions.
The youth drawn from the 20 Wards in Elgeyo Marakwet were selected through a competitive process.
Kevina Loyatum, CEO of Pokot Heritage Foundation, said the initiative is aimed at empowering the youth from the cattle rustling areas with skills that would enable them engage in productive activities.
Speaking in Iten while seeing off the first batch of beneficiaries, Loyatum said the initiative was extended to the youth in Elgeyo Marakwet so as to foster peaceful coexistence among the people.
She alluded to the fact that empowering the youth with technical skills and having them study in the same learning institutions was the only way to spur efficient development in the area.
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On his part, Governor Wisley Rotich expressed gratitude to the foundation for extending the programme to benefit students across the warring communities.
He said the initiative came in handy to the youth who were in the verge of losing hoping given the difficult conditions they are facing due to prevalent vices.
“With the shrinking job opportunities in the country, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) provides a sustainable means of transiting the masses to innovative job creation strategies, improving entrepreneurship, self-development and encourage massive number of business startups that will lead to mass job creation,” remarked the governor.
The foundation caters for all students tuition fees, with the students settling accommodation, food and exam registration.
The students were placed in Kasiwai, Sirisia, Shambarere, Endebess ,Ziwa, Koshin, Kipkabus, Tiaty, Kapcherop, Kipsoen, Kitalekapel and other North Rift colleges.
By Philemon Kiprop
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