By Our Correspondent
Residents from needy families in Laini Saba Ward have received a lifeline after area MCA John Ndile also known as Kaende awared bursaries worth Ksh600,000 to sponsor youths for driving school training.
The bursaries will also cover secondary school children from vulnerable families in the ward.
The driving school programme targets young people who completed Form Four or Class Eight but were unable to proceed to college due to lack of fees. This year alone, 40 students have been enrolled for comprehensive driving lessons at Rocky Driving School, marking the fifth cohort since Kaende assumed office.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony in Laini Saba, Kaende said the initiative is aimed at equipping youths with practical, income-generating skills.
“Not every young person will immediately secure a university opportunity, but that should not mark the end of their dreams. Driving is a marketable skill. Once you have a licence, you can look for employment, start your own hustle, or even join the transport sector. My goal is to ensure no youth in Laini Saba is left behind because of school fees,” said Kaende.
He added that the ward will continue investing in skills-based empowerment programmes to address unemployment at the grassroots.
“This is not charity; this is empowerment. We are using public resources responsibly to create opportunities. I urge the beneficiaries to take this training seriously because this is taxpayers’ money meant to change lives,” he said.
Rocky Driving School Operations Manager Brian Majani said the programme has grown steadily over the past three years.
“Today we are honoured to be here with the residents of Laini Saba Ward courtesy of MCA John Ndile Kaende. This is the fifth time we are partnering on this programme. We started with 15 students, then 20, then 30, and now we have 40 students sponsored fully,” said Majani.
He noted that the sponsorship covers theory classes, practical lessons, Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) processing and interim licensing.
“Driving is not just about steering a vehicle. It is about road safety, understanding other road users and responsibility. We are grateful to the MCA and Nairobi County for giving these young people a chance to gain a professional skill,” he added.
Majani also urged motorists to prioritise vehicle maintenance and responsible driving to enhance road safety.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude, saying the opportunity has restored hope among many youths who had given up on further education.
Stephen Muthusi, one of the trainees, said the programme has already begun transforming lives.
“The MCA has helped us a lot when it comes to driving. After the training, we get skills that help us secure jobs. Many of us finished Form Four but had no chance to continue with college because of fees. This opportunity means everything to us,” he said.
He encouraged fellow youths to actively seek opportunities instead of waiting at home.
“You cannot look for a job while seated in the house. When such opportunities come, grab them. It is good to work and continue improving yourself,” John Ngure, a parent of a beneficiary said.
Residents lauded the ward leadership for prioritising practical skills training, saying the programme offers a direct pathway to employment in Nairobi’s transport and logistics sectors.
With the latest intake of 40 students, the initiative has now benefited over 100 youths since its inception, positioning driving skills as a key empowerment pillar in Laini Saba Ward.
