First Ladies from the lake region counties of Busia (Judy Ojaamong), Dorothy Nyong’o (Kisumu), Priscila Oparanya (Kakamega) and Rosella Rasanga (Siaya) have vowed to fully support empowerment of the youths through value addition based agri-business projects in bid to address increasing unemployment occassioned by the drastic impacts of Coronavirus (Covid~19).

The move follows an agreement by Governors Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Prof Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) to adopt a joint approach in development of fisheries and agribusiness enterprises targeting jobless Kenyans.

Under the theme #joblesslivesmatter domiciled in the Department of Agriculture, the devolved units aim to directly empower over 2,000 jobless Kenyans in each of the four counties.

Speaking at Kisumu's Acacia Premier Hotel on Wednesday during a meeting with Jobless Lives Matter Secretariat led by Busia County Director for Fisheries, Mr Timothy Odende and youths representatives, the First Ladies led by Mrs Ojaamong promised to own the initiative for sole purpose of job creation.

“We want to assure the World Bank and other stakeholders that we are ready for the task ahead of creating a roadmap towards ensuring our youths earn a living and a decent life,” she said.

Mrs Nyong’o said the project being supported by the World Bank will give the four counties an opportunity to create jobs for the unemployed.

On her part, Mrs Rasanga reiterated the need to maximise the use of Lake Victoria she termed a big resource to the region.

Mrs Oparanya said empowerment of the youth will help tame the culture of political class taking advantage of young people for self interest while at the same time reduce indulgence in criminal activities such as drug abuse and robbery.

Photos: First Ladies from Busia, Kakamega, Siaya and Kisumu.

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