By REUBEN OLITA
July 10, 2026| More than 800 youths and women from Teso North on Thursday attended a mindset transformation and motivational forum focused on entrepreneurship, self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The event, held at KNUT Hall in Amagoro, featured Nairobi-based motivational speaker Uncle Sam Karanja, who shared his personal journey from growing up in a street family to pursuing education and becoming a priest.
Addressing participants, Karanja encouraged them to adopt a positive mindset and pursue opportunities beyond relying on financial support from politicians.
“Depending on handouts for survival is not enough. The little money you depend on will eventually get finished. Change your mindset. Teso will never be the same again. This is a treasured land,” he said.
He also urged participants to recognize their self-worth, remain resilient in the face of challenges and embrace unity.
Using the eagle as an example, Karanja encouraged the audience to rise above difficulties rather than be discouraged by them.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya said the forum was intended to inspire young people and women to pursue entrepreneurship and economic empowerment as a way of addressing unemployment.
He said his office was working with financial institutions, including Faridi Sacco, Ports Sacco and Equity Bank, to help organized groups access affordable credit for business start-ups and expansion.
“Last year, we funded women groups to the tune of KSh6.7 million and allocated KSh5.7 million to youth and boda boda groups,” said Kaunya.
Teso North Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Kitai, who attended the event, said the initiative would help empower youths, women and older members of the community socially and economically.
Several beneficiaries of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) scholarship programme shared testimonies on how the support had changed their lives.
Irene Chebet said she received an NG-CDF scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery at KMTC Bungoma Campus.
“Despite being a mother of five and having completed my O-Level education in 2003 with a Grade Dt, having children is not an excuse to stop pursuing your dreams,” she said.
Professional welder Okiti Adams said he was among the first NG-CDF beneficiaries in 2019, training at NITA Kisumu after attaining a D- in KCSE.
He said he graduated as the best student, later trained another cohort of welders at Chamasiri Technical Training Institute, and has since earned an international welding certificate and ISO certification.
Trader Topista Otwane said she started her banana business in 2009 with KSh500 borrowed from a friend and later expanded into a general food business.
She said the growth enabled her to educate her son and recalled addressing President William Ruto during the opening of the Amagoro ESP Market.
Amagoro Market Chairperson Zaitun Clad encouraged women traders to take advantage of government initiatives supporting small-scale businesses to expand their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
Mamlo Foods proprietor Irene Ikarede Etyang said MP Kaunya linked her business to funding opportunities through the Mlango Foundation, leading to its selection among 30 enterprises under the African Union’s Rural Industrialization Programme.
She encouraged young people to use technology to seek employment opportunities and generate income through digital platforms instead of relying on handouts.
In his closing remarks, Karanja urged participants to focus on identifying and solving problems within their communities, saying this was key to achieving success.
Meanwhile, KNUT Teso Executive Secretary Geoffrey Ekasiba expressed concern over the alleged disappearance of four learners in the area. He claimed the suspected perpetrators use luxury vehicles and motorcycles to lure or abduct learners and called on parents to remain vigilant.