The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has called for a strengthened partnership with the government in supporting vocational training as a way of addressing joblessness and hopelessness among the youth. Newly consecrated Bishop of Mt. Kenya West Diocese Gerald Muriithi said the church and government need to work together in addressing societal vices such as escalating crime, addiction to alcohol and harmful drugs that are slowly ruining future generations.
“We need to keep encouraging our youth to take up technical courses aimed at supporting themselves and the community. The government needs to sponsor the young people to acquire skills and in doing so, vices, including alcohol intake, will decline,” he said. Speaking during a graduation ceremony at Ethi Polytechnic in Laikipia County, Bishop Muriithi noted that his church has several vocational centres in the region, but they were currently underutilized, since the respective county governments were not extending support in the form of bursaries to the needy students within their localities.
“We have enough facilities and all the tools to train the students, and we call upon well-wishers and counties to join us in supporting them. It’s time to empower them since their population is increasing and they are jobless,” encouraged Muriithi. For instance, Ethi polytechnic was established by the ACK in 1985 in an area dominated by the Maasai pastoral community, with a mission of bringing on board young boys and girls, and p.