About Us | Tana River Centre for Innovation and Youth Empowerment

Our Story

Empowering Youth, Transforming Communities

The Tana River County Centre for Innovation and Youth Empowerment was launched on 23rd March, 2022 by Tana River County Government, and Kenya School of Government with support of UNDP in the presence of several other state and non-state development partners.

This Centre is the first and only of its kind in Kenya that envisages running youth-centered skills training, entrepreneurship and enterprise promotion, employment services as well as learning-by-action systems programs. It aims to build competence of young women and men to take on jobs and start own businesses in the markets, while also working with local institutions to adopt new business models and expand the number of jobs available for youths.

The Centre targets youth aged 18–35 years from low income categories in marginalized Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) areas. It uses a market system development approach and implements as a champion working through private sector partners, community based organizations, and selected departments in the Tana River County Government.

Mission

To nurture and empower the youth to be self reliant, innovative, independent and key players in socio-economic transformation in the community.

Vision

A safe and dynamic Centre for innovation and youth empowerment.

Youth learning digital skills at the Centre

Community resilience in the face of climate challenges

Climate Context

Building Resilience in ASAL Kenya

Tana River County experiences recurrent floods, drought and resource-based conflicts. These climate shocks disproportionately affect youth livelihoods. The Centre responds with climate-sensitive skills, agribusiness innovations such as hydroponics, and enterprise development that helps young people adapt and thrive.

By aligning training with the county’s Cluster Model Urban Villages and climate adaptation priorities, we turn challenges into opportunities for dignified, sustainable work.

Our Values

What We Stand For

Inclusivity

No one is left behind—programs are designed for women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

Innovation

We embrace new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to solve local challenges effectively.

Integrity

Transparency, accountability, and ethical stewardship in all our operations.

Collaboration

Strong partnerships with government, communities, and the private sector.

Sustainability

Programs that create lasting impact beyond project lifecycles.

Professionalism

Highest standards in training, service delivery, and governance.

Guiding Principles

Principles That Guide Us

The implementation and full realization of our work is guided by principles drawn from the Constitution of Kenya, Vision 2030 and the National Youth Policy.

Equity and Equality

We uphold equitable distribution of resources and services and promotion of access to empowerment opportunities among the youth.

Involvement & Participation

Youth have a right to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life.

Impact and Sustainability

Evidence based impact and continuity of interventions are integral dimensions of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Empowerment

We encourage and develop skills for self-sufficiency with a focus on eliminating the future need for charity or welfare.

Governance

Proposed Centre Structure

Board of Trustees

The policy making organ responsible for approving budgets, resource mobilization and supporting the secretariat.

County Youth Committee

Provides advisory functions to the Centre. Composed of 15 Ward Youth Coordinators representing all wards.

Secretariat

Vested with day-to-day running of the organization. Headed by the Centre Director and Head of Programmes.

Ward Volunteers

Nominated by youth from respective wards to support Centre programs and human resource functions.

Leadership

Meet the Team

Ahmed Hassan

Executive Director

Fatuma Ali

Programs Manager

John Mwangi

Finance Officer

Aisha Omar

Communications Coordinator