IYF awards 12,000 youth with different certification after completing different short-term courses under the IYF Free Weekend Academy
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 30 – The International Youth Fellowship (IYF) held it’s 8th graduation ceremony at headquarters in Nairobi on 28 and 29 June 2025 where first cohort saw 6,000 youths graduate and another cohort 6,000 making a total number of graduands 12,000 where they received their different certificates from different short-term courses.
Under the IYF Free Weekend Academy, an initiative focused on empowering young people with practical skills, values, and leadership development.
The programs offered in the free weekend academy include Paramedic, Sign language, Hairdressing, Music, Fashion and Beauty, Capentry, Dance, Plumbing, Leadership among many other courses.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Hon. Salim Mvurya speech delivered by PS Fikirini lauded the graduates for their discipline and resilience, emphasizing that the government is ready to walk with the youth through transformative programs and funding support mechanisms.
Principal Secretary State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs commended the IYF for the incredible work they are doing in equipping young people with transformative skills that will help them better their lives.
The PS highlighted the need for shared commitment towards empowering youth through collaboration between the government and other partners as a way of finding solutions to some of the challenges the youth are facing.
“I ask you graduands to take advantage of the various affirmative action funds that can help you stir your entrepreneurial ideas and skills”, said PS Jacobs.
Since 2001, the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) has championed mindset transformation and soft skills development for thousands of youth currently in 30 counties in Kenya, soft skills are fast becoming a critical complement to formal education, an essential toolkit for navigating today’s dynamic global and local job markets.
The 2025 graduation marks a milestone not only for the organization, but also for the government’s youth empowerment agenda through strategic instruments like YEDF.
Additionally, Fikirini Jacobs assured the youth of government’s continued collaboration with IYF to ensure that the program reach the targeted youthful demographic in all corners of the republic urging the graduates to ensure they make good use of the labour mobility program and also make good use of youth fund when it 8comes to the movements that arise as a result.
He commended the IYF Kenya for its commitment to mindset transformation and practical skill-building, noting the strong alignment with national youth development efforts.
“This is not the end, it is a launching pad to greater responsibility and leadership.”
The PS proudly acknowledged IYF’s global impact, celebrating the fact that after last year’s representation in Korea, another group of Kenyan youth is set to travel to Seoul, South Korea to fly the flag high once again.
He further encouraged the graduates to embrace the many opportunities available through national youth-focused programmes, including The President’s Award Kenya, which builds character, leadership and service.
Youth Enterprise Development Fund, which supports youth-led businesses and innovation, National Youth Council Kenya, which champions youth voice and participation and Kenya Film Commission which empowers talent in the creative and digital space.
The 9th free weekend academy is expected to kickoff on 9th August 2025 whereby the trainees will be imparted with various skills and mindset change.
Rev Yohan Kim, chairperson of IYF Kenya while speaking during the ceremony urged graduands not relax but to take on other courses in the coming season 9, slated for August this year or enroll for diploma and degree programs in various universities and colleges in the republic.
“You are the torchbearers of this generation. Serve with humility, lead with integrity, and be the change our nation needs.”
