6,000 Youth Graduate From IYF Weekend Academy As CS Murkomen Champions Skills Validation
The Mt Kenya Times 
Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports gracing the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Weekend Academy graduation ceremony
By: Cynthia Masibo
Worth Noting:
- The IYF Weekend Academy has become a beacon of hope for youth, especially Form 4 leavers unable to pursue further education due to financial constraints. The academy’s three-month training program provides essential skills in various fields, equipping graduates to become key contributors to the economy. Hon. Murkomen commended the academy’s alignment with government initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, Talanta Hela, and the NYOTA program, all designed to foster entrepreneurship and provide financial support to the country’s youth.
- “The ministry stands ready to support you, whether through skills development or entrepreneurial initiatives. We are committed to ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed,” Murkomen stated, encouraging graduates to seize the opportunities available to them.
At the heart of Kenya’s youth empowerment initiatives, 6,000 students from the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Weekend Academy graduated this weekend in a ceremony graced by Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports. The event, held at an indoor arena, marked the successful completion of the academy’s sixth cohort, which has been instrumental in providing academic and practical skills to disadvantaged youth across the country.
CS Murkomen highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering young people through skill validation and entrepreneurial support. The Cabinet Secretary reiterated the importance of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program, designed to align young people with opportunities for wealth creation. “The government’s Recognition of Prior Learning policy means you have every opportunity to validate your skills and obtain a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) certificate. This certification will open doors to new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” said Murkomen.
The IYF Weekend Academy has become a beacon of hope for youth, especially Form 4 leavers unable to pursue further education due to financial constraints. The academy’s three-month training program provides essential skills in various fields, equipping graduates to become key contributors to the economy. Hon. Murkomen commended the academy’s alignment with government initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, Talanta Hela, and the NYOTA program, all designed to foster entrepreneurship and provide financial support to the country’s youth.
“The ministry stands ready to support you, whether through skills development or entrepreneurial initiatives. We are committed to ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed,” Murkomen stated, encouraging graduates to seize the opportunities available to them.
In addition to his praise for the Weekend Academy, Murkomen celebrated IYF’s recent success on the global stage. In July, 30 youths from the academy represented Kenya in a world dance competition held in Seoul, South Korea, where they clinched the grand prize. “We are proud of IYF and the dance team that won the grand prize in Seoul. Truly, IYF is our good partner, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership,” he remarked.
The event was attended by senior officials, including Ismail Maalim, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Sports. Maalim underscored the positive impact of the ministry’s collaboration with IYF, which has led to the training of regional coordinators from the State Department of Youth Affairs. “The ripple effect is evident not only in the expansion of IYF Academy classes across 50 branches but, more importantly, in the lives of young people across the country,” Maalim said.
The program’s founder, Rev. Dr. Ock Soo Park, also addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of building a hopeful future despite the challenges young people face. “IYF is teaching young people to live bright and blessed lives, and I hope that many in Kenya will live bright lives through the grace of God,” Park said.
The graduation ceremony underscores IYF’s commitment to addressing the educational gaps that many disadvantaged youth face. It comes on the heels of the government’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, a move that has been lauded for acknowledging the skills and knowledge acquired outside traditional educational settings. This policy ensures that individuals who have missed out on formal education can still receive national certification, opening new pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
As IYF celebrates its 6,000 graduates, the organization and the government continue to play pivotal roles in transforming the futures of Kenya’s youth.
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