The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy is undertaking an initiative to collaborate with the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya (LODDCA) to ensure youth who form the largest segment of the association benefit from government programs. This collaboration has brought together the State Department, Youth Fund Kenya, The Uwezo Fund and Nacada Kenya to synergize effort for maximum impact to the youthful members of the association.
The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association is seeking to harness government support through the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Nacada, and other relevant agencies to raise awareness and empower its members. The members can benefit from products such as affirmative action loans with lower or no interest for entrepreneurship.
The association acknowledges that a significant number of its members are young people and women, many of whom may not be fully aware of the opportunities provided by the government. For example, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and Uwezo Fund offer loans and grants to both individuals and groups.
This collaboration also aims to provide various training programs, such as financial literacy and social development, among others. The ultimate objective is to empower young people to become job creators and active contributors to the economy. The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association’s representatives expressed optimism that youth in their association will benefit greatly from the initiative both economically and socially.
Today’s meeting was chaired by Director Emily Maina of the Directorate of Youth Social Development who encouraged members to put youth first as they work on a framework for collaboration. Other officials from the State Department present included Deputy Director Charles Mohombe and Mr. Wycliffe Okoth.
