Gachagua urges youth to monetise talents

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [DPCS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the youth to focus on monetising their talents to boost entrepreneurship and end unemployment.

Speaking at Nyeri National Polytechnic, Nyeri County, during a forum dubbed 'Mayouth Tuwe Set Initiative,' the DP said the government is expanding investments in the creative economy to spur job creation and bolster entrepreneurship.

"We have five pillars in Kenya Kwanza administration and one of them is creative economy and digital highway. We are monitising art so that all artists including content creators, dancers, actors and all others can make their talents an income generating activities," said Gachagua.

He said that President William Ruto's administration is focused on empowering the youth and creating opportunities in sports and arts sub-sectors.

Gachagua was accompanied by politicians including the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association chairperson Gitonga Mukunji, who is also the Manyatta MP, at the event attended by thousands of youths.

Artiste and content creator Bahati was also present.

The DP assured that the government is keen on creating employment opportunities. He asked the youth to be focused saying their dreams are valid.

Gachagua urged intern teachers to be patient with their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), saying the government has already guaranteed them that their employment terms will be converted to permanent and pensionable after two years.

"We have over 400,000 trained teachers who are registered with the TSC but our capacity to absorb them because of the fiscal space is limited. Last year we hired 56,000 teachers. Others were also absorbed as intern teachers with a guarantee that after two years they will automatically be hired on permanent and pensionable terms," he said. 

On illicit brews and drug and substance abuse, the DP said the government has made progress in tackling the menace.

"There were too many drugs being peddled openly in the streets and illicit brews being sold across the country," he said.