A total of 2,500 youth in Vihiga County are set to benefit from first phase of the Kazi Mtaani initiative.
The Vihiga County Commissioner (CC), Ochillo Oyugi accompanied by the Vihiga Deputy Governor, Dr. Patrick Saisi, made the announcement on Monday at County headquarters in Mbale where he unveiled the Kazi Mtaani programme.
Addressing a section of the recruits in Vihiga Sub County, Oyugi clarified official launch of the initiative will be done toward end of this week in an event expected to be presided over by a high ranking national government official.
“Today we are simply setting the pace for official launch of the Kazi Mtaani in Vihiga County that will be done two or three days from now,” stated Oyugi, adding the unveiling exercise was concurrently conducted in several other counties.
Oyugi disclosed the 2,500 recruits had been drawn from all the five sub counties of Vihiga that include Vihiga, Hamisi, Sabatia, Luanda and Emuhaya.
He reiterated the programme’s main objective which is to enable the government cushion a segment of unemployed youth in the country against adverse economic effects occasioned by the novel Covid-19 pandemic.
“The aim is to engage the youth in national and county government development projects besides expanding their sources of livelihoods as well as improving living standards,” explained Oyugi who chairs the County Kazi Mtaani Implementation Committee.
According to the CC, the recruits will be engaged in various infrastructural activities’ including beautification of county’s main towns, planting of trees, roads maintenance, solid waste management, cleaning ditches and opening up culverts as well as maintaining
government facilities.
The county boss appealed to the recruits to always adhere to Ministry of Health containment guidelines in order to avoid getting infected and spreading the contagious coronavirus.
“We encourage you to maintain social distancing, wear face masks and gloves, constantly wash hands using soap and running water among other measures while on duty,” he told the jubilant youth.
He further urged them to appreciate the Kazi Mtaani initiative by working hard and observing high level of individual discipline.
The Deputy Governor hailed the Kazi Mtaani programme, noting it would greatly assist in preoccupying the youth, besides enabling them put food on the table.
“This is a noble programme that would also prevent our youth from engaging in social vices and crime, especially theft,” remarked Saisi who thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta, in particular for spearheading the initiative.
The Deputy Governor revealed plans by the county government to strengthen the initiative through recruitment of more youth.
“We have already set aside adequate funds in the 2020/2021 budget toward the Kazi Mtaani programme,” stressed Saisi and urged youth that were left out in this initial phase to remain calm.
By Maurice Aluda
