Machakos: In a bid to empower women and the youth, Machakos County through the department of Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Welfare has partnered with Bamburi Cement to launch a sustainable pilot project that upcycles used cement bags into durable school bags.

According to Kenya News Agency, this innovative project aims to instil practical skills in women and youths, guiding them into entrepreneurship through the environmental conservation practice of transforming waste material into valuable products. The pilot project was unveiled at Kyemutheke Vocational Training Centre in Machakos town, where 30 women and youths are set to undergo intensive training on upcycling and value addition by Nairobi Recyclers, equipping them to improve their livelihoods.

Speaking during the launch at Kyemutheke, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender, Youth Sports and Social Welfare, Sharon Mutua, highlighted the importance of the sustainable project in promoting community welfare and environmental conservation. She called for commitment from all stakeholders, stating, "There is no room for failure."

Lilian Njiru, Bamburi's corporate affairs manager, noted that the project aligns with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals of promoting a circular economy through recycling and using alternative materials while positively impacting communities through social and sustainable initiatives. She disclosed plans to expand the upcycling projects to other towns and commended Machakos for boosting its local economy by fostering growth through various investments and its strategic location, as Bamburi Cement is located in Athi River along Mombasa Road.

"Machakos is close to our heart; that is why we have chosen to start here before expanding to other counties," added Ms. Njiru.