Leonard Arap Kirwa: Eldoret Journalist Empowering Youth with Digital Training in His Rural Home
- Kenyan journalists’ mandate involves educating, informing, and entertaining people, but not for one young journalist in Eldoret
- For over four years now, the journalist, Leonard Arap Kirwa, has been supporting programmes targeting youths in his home constituency, Nandi Hills
- The Upendo FM presenter spoke to TUKO.co.ke about the motivation behind the initiative that has so far helped over 200 young people
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A typical journalist’s mandate revolves around educating, informing, and entertaining people, but for Leonard Arap Kirwa, it goes beyond that.
Source: Original
Aside from fulfilling the expectations of a journalist, Kirwa, a radio presenter at Upendo FM in Eldoret, has also found time to give back to society, albeit at a young age.
He has launched various initiatives aimed at empowering youth within Nandi Hills, his rural constituency, in various ways.
Which initiatives is Leonard Kirwa supporting?
One of his recent initiatives is offering subsidised computer training to the young people in the area, through which they are equipped with vital digital skills relevant to the current demands.
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Already, 53 youth have benefited from the initiative and graduated on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
“This initiative is close to my heart. It was born from a deep desire to equip our youth with skills that matter in today’s fast-changing world,” the radio presenter told TUKO.co.ke in an exclusive interview.
“We always award certificates to brilliant and determined students who take part in our subsidised computer training program,” he added.
According to Kirwa, with the world moving towards a digital era, the training was more than just learning. It is aimed at opening doors to opportunities for the young people, many of whom live in rural areas.
He believes that with the skills, the beneficiaries can unlock doors in education, employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Source: Original
When he first conceptualised the initiative, the young journalist had a clear mission: to ensure no young person in Nandi Hills is left behind in the ongoing digital revolution.
"Talents play a critical role in the life of the youth, and it's important that they are nurtured," said Kirwa.
With the success of the initial training, he is now looking at the possibilities of expanding it to more regions. He plans to partner with more institutions so that a larger group of young people across Nandi county can benefit.
“This is just the beginning. I stand here today not only to celebrate this achievement, but also to make a promise that even greater things are coming," he said.
But how is the young journalist able to finance such initiatives? He revealed that he gets support from friends, partners, and well-wishers.
How Nandi Hills youth are benefiting from Kirwa's initiatives
Some of the youth who were part of the training on digital skills told TUKO.co.ke that they are now well prepared to fully take advantage of the digital era.
“The training has equipped me with skills that I can use to find work or even create my own opportunities online,” said Denis Kibet, a youth.
“Before this, I was just sitting at home, but once I heard about this opportunity, I applied, and now I have the skills to even employ myself. Life is better when such opportunities are availed to the youth,” added Beatrice Jepkosgei, who was among those who recently graduated.
Kirwa’s empowerment initiative goes beyond offering subsidised digital training. He has also supported talent nurturing through a grassroots football tournament.
He hosted his first tournament in 2020, which continues to be held annually. This year's tournament is scheduled for October.
Source: Original
Previously, he has supported training for boda boda operators in a bid to enhance their safety.
It has been years of multiple empowerment programmes, reaching over 200 youth, that Kirwa continues to support, with many more to come.
“It's not easy, but I have to balance between empowerment programs and the role I have at Upendo FM. I use most of my leave time and off days to plan and engage with youths in Nandi Hills, which is a fulfilling moment for me,” he said.
Nakuru journalists invest in potato farming
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that a group of journalists in Nakuru had invested in farming as a way of ensuring they are economically empowered.
The journalists have leased a piece of land in Narok where they have planted potatoes with an anticipated profit of KSh 100,000.
They are also looking at several other investment programs that will help them own properties and be homeowners.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Edmond Kipngeno Edmond Kipngeno is a trained multimedia journalist with over 6 years of experience in the media industry. Edmond is currently the TUKO.co.ke correspondent based in Uasin Gishu county,
