Start-up profits over 200 youths in Nairobi

By Emmanuel Seth

Two-hundred-and-fourteen (214) youth groups in Nairobi are benefiting from a business start-up programme geared to stimulate entrepreneurship among the millennials.

Vijana Tuinvest Initiative — a partnership between Chai Sacco Society Ltd and City Hall is equipping youths in the city with financial skills to grow their business.

Wenakora Group in the capital’s Ziwani estate is among the biggest beneficiaries of the programme.

Chairperson Alice Anyango says they have received immense training on financial management after joining Vijana-Tu-Invest programme.

She attributes their business growth to financial guidance from the Chai Sacco-run programme.

“As a group, we have three hotels all started from money we were loaned by the Sacco” She added, we have also been able to expand our “mitumba” business as a result of the money we get from the Sacco,” she says.

Following the launch of Vijana-Tuinvest last year, youth groups have been trained and empowered in different business ventures aimed at making them youth independent.

Chai Sacco chief executive Festus Mwambingu says the programme has tapped into the tremendous growth opportunities in the country.

He urged that the youth be equipped with entrepreneurial skills and guidance to seize those opportunities.

“It is for this reason that we have for the last one year worked closely with different youth groups in Nairobi City County in ensuring that our youths are financially empowered and in making them their own bosses,” he says.

Additionally, Mwambingu says they identified and register 214 youth groups within 3 months after launching the campaign

Evaluation was undertaken of which 83 met the campaign criteria.

He pointed out that in the last one year, Chai Sacco and Nairobi City government officials have been working with the groups to impact knowledge on overall organizations

In the last one year, youths aged between 18 and 35 have been  trained on the much needed financial and business management skills that include developing business plans, budgeting, bookkeeping, pitching, basic marketing skills and how to invest amongst others.

A number of these youth groups have been financially funded and are currently doing well.