Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has drawn a line in the sand regarding youth empowerment, declaring the era of "political handouts" and "chaotic mobilization" over. During the pass-out parade of 1,000 recruits from the Machakos Youth Service (MYS), Ndeti emphasized that discipline, not just skills, is the currency of the future.

The Governor’s speech at the training camp was a departure from the usual populist rhetoric. Addressing the recruits who had just completed a grueling three-week boot camp, she framed the MYS not as a job bureau, but as a "character factory" designed to inoculate the youth against manipulation by politicians.

"Create Jobs, Don't Wait for Them"

"Youth empowerment is not giving our children handouts in every election cycle," Ndeti asserted, her voice echoing across the parade ground. "It is not about mobilizing our children to cause chaos. It is about equipping you to capture the world with your skills."

The Governor’s strategy rests on three pillars:

• Discipline is Non-Negotiable: "Without discipline, skill is useless," she warned. The MYS training includes rigorous physical and civic education.
• Patriotism: Ndeti urged the youth to "respect God and be patriotic," positioning them as the guardians of the county’s future stability.
• Self-Reliance: "Machakos needs job creators, not job seekers," she told the cohort, challenging them to use their new equipment and skills to build enterprises.

With 1,000 youths graduating annually in two cohorts, Ndeti is betting that a disciplined, skilled workforce will do more for her political legacy—and the county’s economy—than any amount of campaign cash ever could.