Launch 150 Startup Youth Businesses in Kibra Slum

Join us in welcoming a new cohort of 51 students in our Youth Economic Empowerment Program. These young people, drawn from Homa Bay and Kibra, began orientation and baseline skills assessments in January. The cohort reflects our ongoing commitment to reaching marginalized youth in both rural and urban communities, with an even mix of participants selected for their motivation, potential for leadership, and readiness to engage in vocational training and entrepreneurship support.

Over the coming months the program will deliver a blended curriculum of vocational skills, financial literacy, digital skills, and small business mentorship, paired with psychosocial support and linkages to local markets and internship opportunities. Each student will receive individualized development plans, access to seed grants or toolkits where relevant, and regular monitoring against measurable outcomes: completion rates, employment or income-generating activity within six months, and improved financial management practices.

Local partners and employers in Homa Bay and Kibra have been engaged to ensure training aligns with market demand and creates pathways to sustainable livelihoods.  We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these 51 young people as they gain skills, confidence, and opportunities to contribute to their families. 

During this reporting period, 30 youth successfully graduated from the entrepreneurship and financial literacy training program. The training equipped participants with essential business management skills, including financial planning, customer relations, marketing, and savings. Each graduate also received startup capital to establish or expand their enterprises in areas such as agribusiness, retail, tailoring, and service-based ventures.

As a result, these youth have launched over 150 active youth-led businesses, generating direct employment for other young people in their communities. On average, the entrepreneurs now earn between USD 15 and 20 per day, helping them meet household needs, reinvest in their businesses, and build financial stability.

Beyond business creation, the program has fostered a sense of confidence, responsibility, and leadership among participants. Many of the graduates have formed peer support and savings groups, serving as mentors and role models to other youth in Homa Bay who aspire to start their own businesses.

This milestone reflects the program’s growing impact , demonstrating that when equipped with the right skills, mentorship, and startup support, young people in Homa Bay can transform their lives and communities through entrepreneurship.