Over 2000 youth from Kajiado Central Sub-county have benefited from the National Hygiene and Sanitation Program popularly known as ‘Kazi Mtaani’.
The ‘Kazi Mtaani’ program that will run for three months (June-August), will see a total of 2,067 youth from Kajiado Central recruited to undertake manual work within Kajiado town and its environs.
Speaking during the launch of the Third Phase, Kajiado Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Harun Kamau, said the program which began in 2020, was conceived by the government, to cushion the youth against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kamau noted the pandemic had affected thousands of people as many companies shut down rendering them jobless.
The DCC revealed that recruits will be tasked with manual work in public places such as: garbage collection, tree planting, clearing bushes and unblocking of sewerage lines, landscaping among others and will be paid a weekly stipend to empower them economically.
He said the shifts for the Third Phase will be divided into nine working days with every worker earning Sh455 and supervisors earning Sh505 daily.
“In Kajiado Central Sub-county, a total of 2,067 youth will be engaged in the Kazi Mtaani program for the next three months starting June and they will receive a stipend to enable them to provide for their families,” said Kamau.
The Administrator challenged the public to maintain environmental cleanliness by ensuring proper disposal of waste. “Cleanliness starts with you, let us ensure we all maintain a clean environment by disposing of wastes, including plastics in bins,” he said.
He further urged the public to maintain peaceful co-existence even as the country heads to the national polls in August.
“We are in an electioneering period and I want to call on all residents to maintain peace during and after elections. Elections come and go and we must all live together as one and avoid being incited against each other,” said the DCC.
Youth from Kajiado town who thronged the KCB grounds for the launch, lauded the Government’s move to re-launch the program, adding that it would enable them meet their basic needs.
The youth, most of whom are drawn from informal settlements and poor backgrounds, revealed that the program was timely as it would cushion them from economic hardships occasioned by Coronavirus pandemic.
Jane Soipan, a resident of Majengo slums, said she used the stipend she earned during Phase One and Two to start a poultry project, which is currently doing well and she was excited with the launch of the Third Phase.
Soipan urged youth to enroll for the program to earn an income and at the same time keep them busy to avoid engaging in drug abuse and crime.
“Kazi Mtaani really helped me when it was first launched as I managed to start a poultry project from the savings I earned. I am happy that it is back as it will help many jobless youths earn an income and provide for their families,” she said.
Another youth, Michael Njuguna, who lost his job last year, said he was happy that the government had considered the youth and he would save money that he will earn in the three months, to enable him start a business.
The First Phase of the Kazi Mtaani program kicked-off in April 2020 as a pilot program and focused on selected informal settlements in eight counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Mandera.
The Second Phase was extended to cover 34 counties, whereby, Treasury allocated Sh. 10 billion towards the exercise. Over 200,000 youth were hired then.
The Kazi Mtaani Phase III will be implemented across 900 informal settlements in all the 47 counties.
By Rop Janet
