By Dennis Weche 
The County Government of Kakamega has affirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through creative and enterprise development following a graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of the Sanara training programme held at Golf Hotel in Kakamega.
The Sanara programme, implemented in Kakamega by SNDBX Ubuntu, is part of a broader national initiative powered by a consortium of partners including the Mastercard Foundation, Baraza Media Lab, HEVA Fund and the GoDown Arts Centre. The initiative seeks to train, finance and connect young people especially creatives, women and persons with disabilities to sustainable business opportunities within the cultural and creative economy.
During the event, over 150 youth drawn from across Kakamega’s 12 subcounties graduated after completing intensive training in business development, financial literacy and enterprise management tailored to creative industries.
Representing the County Government, Mr Emmanuel Makokha, Youth Advisor in the Office of the Governor, acknowledged the role of creative industries in job creation and economic transformation. He noted that the County, under the leadership of H.E. FCPA Fernandes Barasa, is committed to equipping young people with skills and opportunities aligned with the Governor’s social development and youth employment agenda.
The event also brought together a vibrant community of creatives including storytellers, poets, musicians, digital content creators, fashion designers, illustrators and artisans. They showcased their talents and shared how the training had enabled them to package their passion into viable businesses. Some participants will access credit and production support through HEVA Fund’s creative enterprise financing tools.
The Sanara programme in Kakamega provides practical support through mentorship, legal and compliance education, intellectual property rights training and access to business development services. It reflects a shift toward inclusive and sustainable creative economies that centre the voices and talents of young people in counties like Kakamega.
Going forward, the County Government has pledged to deepen its partnerships with development actors and expand access to similar programmes in order to reach more creative entrepreneurs, unlock local talent and foster innovation-led growth.
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