Photo Credit: MP Innocent Mugabe
By KenyaToday Correspondent, August 7, 2026,
Likuyani Member of Parliament Hon. Innocent Mugabe has unveiled new strategic partnerships aimed at expanding economic opportunities for women and youth in the constituency through skills development, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer.
The MP presided over the launch of the “Qing’ai Silk Road. Soft Connectivity” China-Africa Youth Action at the African Institute for Capacity Development, AICAD, Centre on Thursday. The event marks the beginning of a collaboration between the Likuyani NG-CDF office, AICAD, and the Qing’ai Education Foundation.
Speaking during the launch, Mugabe said the partnership will support targeted youth training programs and facilitate technology transfer needed to operationalize the proposed Likuyani Industrial Park. He added that the Qing’ai Education Foundation will lead women empowerment initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and access to markets.
“As we deepen Kenya–China cooperation, I underscored the need to address the trade imbalance between our two countries by promoting value addition, and increasing Kenya’s exports to the Chinese market,” Mugabe said.
He noted that for too long, Kenya has exported raw materials while importing finished products. The new model, he said, will prioritize training young people with practical, industry-relevant skills so they can produce goods locally for both domestic and export markets.AICAD CEO Prof. James Njiru said the institute will provide curriculum support, trainers, and certification pathways aligned to manufacturing and agro-processing.
“Capacity development must translate to jobs. AICAD is ready to work with Likuyani to ensure our youth are not just trained, but employable,” Prof. Njiru said.
Photo Credit: MP Innocent Mugabe
Qing’ai Education Foundation Founder Ms. Zhang Yinjun said the foundation’s mandate is to equip women with tools to start and scale businesses. She cited mentorship, micro-enterprise support, and linkages to Chinese markets as key pillars of the program.Also present were officials from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, and the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from both chambers expressed interest in exploring investment and market opportunities in Likuyani once the industrial park is operational.The “Soft Connectivity” initiative is part of broader China-Africa youth exchanges seeking to build people-to-people ties beyond infrastructure projects.
Organizers say the first cohort of trainees will be recruited in the next two months, with priority given to women, persons with disabilities, and unemployed youth.Mugabe said the constituency office will work with ward administrators to ensure transparent selection and follow-up on beneficiaries.