Over 100 Youth Receive Driving Licences in Nandi Hills Under Leonard Kirwa Programme as Road Safety Push Intensifies
“This initiative is aimed at creating opportunities, promoting road safety, and supporting young people to secure employment and improve their livelihoods,” Hon. Leonard Kirwa
Hon. Leonard Kirwa (second left) addresses attendees during the Nandi Hills driving licence issuance event, accompanied by fellow leaders, as he emphasized youth empowerment, road safety, and skills development under the partially sponsored driving programme.
More than 100 young people have received driving licences under the Leonard Kirwa Partially Paid Driving Programme, an initiative coordinated and organised by journalist and political aspirant Leonard Kirwa, aimed at expanding youth employment opportunities and strengthening road safety awareness.
The issuance exercise held in Nandi Hills marks a significant milestone in the empowerment programme, which subsidises professional driving training for beneficiaries who would otherwise struggle to access formal licensing due to cost barriers.
The initiative targets unemployed youth, with a focus on equipping them with practical skills to access job opportunities in the transport and logistics sector, which continues to absorb a growing number of young Kenyans.
Organisers say the programme is also anchored on improving road discipline and reducing accidents by ensuring newly licensed drivers are adequately trained and sensitised on traffic regulations before joining public roads.
Speaking during the event, Kirwa said the initiative is intended to create long-term economic opportunities while promoting responsible road use across the county.
“This initiative is aimed at creating opportunities, promoting road safety, and supporting young people to secure employment and improve their livelihoods,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to strictly observe traffic rules, noting that discipline among drivers remains a key factor in reducing road accidents in the country.
“I call upon our youth and drivers to strictly follow all road safety rules to protect lives and promote responsible road use. Safety on our roads begins with discipline, patience, and respect for traffic regulations,” he added.
Road safety stakeholders have in recent years intensified calls for enhanced driver training as Kenya continues to grapple with road safety challenges linked to human error and non-compliance with traffic laws. Structured driving programmes have been identified as a key intervention in reducing road carnage while improving employability among youth.
The Nandi Hills programme is expected to continue rolling out in phases, with organisers indicating plans to reach more beneficiaries in upcoming intakes as part of a broader youth empowerment agenda.
The initiative is also being positioned as part of wider efforts to link skills development with employment creation and community safety.
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