Kenton Mutethia Muthaura is a visionary leader and the founder of the Youths for the Boy Child Organization (YBCO), a Kenyan NGO dedicated to empowering boys through education, mentorship, and talent development. YBCO addresses critical issues such as drug abuse, mental health, and societal neglect of boys. The organization has provided 10 scholarships for young people to pursue certificate courses, nurtured talents, and created platforms for boys to showcase their skills. Through initiatives like the "Wezesha Boy Child Program" and the "Fathers-and-Sons Program," YBCO has positively impacted over 5,000 boys by offering them mentorship as well as 100 young people benefitting from technical skills training. So far, Kenton has launched 6 programs under YBCO geared towards boy child empowerment.
In addition to YBCO, Kenton is the Founder of Bafiex Products Enterprises, an innovative project focused on extracting banana fiber as an alternative to synthetic fiber to combat climate change and provide an additional income to banana farmers from stems that were previously discarded as an agricultural waste. This initiative not only promotes environmental conservation but also provides sustainable livelihoods for local communities through jobs created in the banana ecosystem from farming to extraction, transportation and other logistics.
Bafiex Products Enterprises has been recognized for its innovation, winning the Presidential Innovation Award in 2023/2024.This innovation has seen Kenton get recognized and win several awards such as; Finalist Top Forty Under 40 Africa, 1000 Young Entrepreneurs Winner, 2024 by Aiducation International, Top 40 Under 40 Men Kenya Winner, 2024 by Business Daily Africa, Eastern Africa Manufacturing Founder of the Year Under 30 Category Winner by Founder of the Year Awards (FOYA), Utumishi Bora Award 2023 Pioneering and Innovation & Family First Categories by Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF).
Despite these successes, challenges such as limited resources and societal biases against prioritizing boy child empowerment persist. YBCO continues to expand its reach by partnering with technical sectors to offer apprenticeships and job placements for school dropouts. These programs have significantly improved the living standards of participants and their families.
Kenton's work exemplifies a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly gender equality, quality education, climate action and decent work and economic growth. His initiatives have transformed lives and communities, fostering a brighter future for the boy child and an eco-friendly environment with banana fiber as an alternative.
