The youth at Maasai Mara wildlife conservancies have been greatly affected by the corona virus pandemic having lost jobs in the tourism industry. However the Maasai Mara wildlife conservancies association has moved in to give a boost to over 1000 youth who have lost their jobs so that they can cope with the tough economic crisis that has hit the nation.
Speaking at Aitong in Narok west Constituency during the Mara youth day,Daniel Sopia, the Chief Executive Officer at Maasai Mara wildlife conservancies association,expressed that so many youth who were working in lodges and camps around maasai mara game reserve lost their jobs. However,Sopia expressed that over 1000 youth who heavily rely on the tourism industry have been incorporated in a vocational training program that was started two years ago whereby the youth will greatly benefit through building skills and creating job opportunities for the youth in the tourism sector. Sopia said through the program the youth have been advised to form self help groups so that they can be given grants by the Maasai Mara Wildlife conservancies association so that they can overcome economic challenges by investing the capital given to them.
According to Soila Sankale the Coordinator National Government Affirmative actions fund most youth in Narok west have refrained from applying for the youth fund that could greatly assist them in recovering from the negative economic effects brought about by the coronavirus. She urged the youth to seize the opportunities and access funding from the national government through uwezo and youth funds.
Reson Sanamwala who is a youth leader at Nashulai conservancy expressed that problems facing the girl child can only be eradicated if the girls are actively involved in groups where they learn about economic empowerment. She noted that the information that they received through the Maasai Mara Wildlife conservancies association has changed their livelihoods as most youth have been given scholarships to get educated.
Seleyian Partoip who is the dirctor at Murua Girls child education program stated that the girls need to be sensitized on their rights and have them shun archaic cultural practices such as FGM and early forced marriages that has been a major factor that has hindered their growth.