The Machakos County Assembly last week passed the Youth Empowerment (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aiming to refine and strengthen the 2022 Youth Empowerment Act.

The Bill introduces substantial amendments to the Machakos County Youth Empowerment Act, 2022, aiming to enhance efficiency, accountability, and inclusivity in youth-related programs.

Among the key proposals is the restructuring of governance within the youth empowerment sector, including the replacement of the “Chief Executive Officer” role with a “Director General” who will lead the newly constituted Machakos County Youth Service. The Director General will be a competitively recruited professional with at least ten years of relevant experience, appointed for a renewable five-year term.

A major highlight of the Bill is the establishment of a restructured Machakos County Youth Empowerment Board, which will assume oversight roles previously held by the disbanded board and CEO. The new board will include the Director General, Chief Officer, and other members drawn from the community, with appointments subject to approval by the County Assembly.

The board will be responsible for steering policy direction, resource mobilization, and ensuring meaningful youth engagement across all wards. To enhance representation and gender balance, the amendment mandates that each village produces at least two youth trainees—one male and one female—for empowerment programs.

The Bill also outlines a clearer mandate for the Machakos County Youth Service, which will be responsible for training and equipping young people with life skills, technical competencies, and a strong sense of discipline.

New clauses introduce structured ranks within the Service, a code of conduct, restrictions on unauthorized activities, and collaboration with technical institutions for skill development. Additionally, the youth fund management structure has been redefined to allow the Empowerment Board and Chief Officer to oversee loan applications, disbursements, and recoveries, promoting financial accountability and transparency.

The bill further makes a significant provision for youth internships and industrial attachments as part of its broader empowerment agenda. Under the proposed law, the County Government will facilitate internship and attachment opportunities for youth enrolled in training programs through the Machakos County Youth Service. These placements will be done in collaboration with both public and private sector institutions, with the goal of exposing young people to real-world work environments. The internships are expected to equip the youth with practical skills, enhance their employability, and bridge the gap between training and the job market.

Furthermore, the bill strengthens oversight by providing detailed guidance on board operations, conflict of interest provisions, quorum requirements, and penalties for misconduct. Offenders who violate these provisions could face fines of up to KSh 50,000 or imprisonment for up to six months. The Bill also emphasizes the importance of integrating youth affairs into county decision-making, maintaining a database of youth skills, and creating dedicated youth resource centers across the county.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the amendment is not classified as a money bill, indicating that it does not introduce new public spending. However, its impact is expected to be far-reaching, offering a more robust and inclusive framework for youth empowerment in Machakos County.

The Bill will mark a significant step toward institutionalizing youth engagement, boosting economic opportunities, and preparing young people to be active participants in the county’s development agenda.