Japanese NGO trains Embu youth on road construction

Over 100 youth from four sub counties in Embu have been trained on Japanese road-construction technology to help enhance their skills and help them achieve financial freedom.

The initiative, which is a joint venture between a Japanese NGO (Community Road Empowerment) and the County Government of Embu, has seen 25 youth from every sub county trained on how to construct and maintain feeder roads particularly on swampy areas.

Addressing the press in Runyenjes, where a road has been successfully constructed by the youth, Community Road Empowerment CEO, Kita Kiyoshi, said that the youth are now successful contractors who can do business with the government and other agencies.

He said that the Donoe technology entails filling gunny bags with sand and placing them on the swampy areas where the road is to be constructed before leveling with cement and sand to make the road.

He said that the roads can hold vehicles as heavy as 25 tones.

Kiyoshi said that the youth groups have already been educated and guided on how to start companies as contractors in order to help them access the 30 percent public procurement tenders set aside for the youth and women.

On his part, Embu Governor Martin Wambora said that the county government will engage the trained youth groups by giving them road maintenance works so as to boost them economically.