Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) have signed a partnership agreement with the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) promoting Mkenya Daima principles of peaceful co-existence and peace for economic growth and prosperity. KBA has granted Ksh. 4 million to support KCDF undertake programmes that engage youth groups living within Nairobi and Mombasa, areas that are often disrupted by polarized politicking.
Speaking during the partnership agreement signing , KBA CEO Habil Olaka, said that the funding will focus on young men who have entrepreneurial skills, are assertive and have leadership characteristics that will enable them influence their communities in a positive way.
“By engaging the youth through this programme, the goal is to provide them with a sense of purpose, and bond them to the Mkenya Daima ideals,” said Mr Olaka “Our goal is to implement sustainable initiatives that target youth development by exposing youth to skills that empower them economically and ultimately enable them to be self-reliant,” he said.
The KBA-KCDF agreement signing was witnessed by Mkenya Daima steering committee representative Polycarp Igathe and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Vice Chair-Sports, Arts and Culture Julius Owino, popularly known as “Juliani”.
According to KCDF’s executive director Janet Mawiyoo, the funding will go a long way in ensuring the youth who continue to be marginalized, get requisite skills and values that will enable them become productive and law abiding citizens. “The partnership is a testament of how the private sector and development organizations can come together to address emerging issues in our communities such as disenfranchisement of young men. This programme will not only inculcate a sense of responsibility and pride in young men but also expose them to diversified livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship,” said Ms Mawiyoo.