Crime has
reduced in Mombasa and other areas where the youth have been engaged in the national hygiene program dubbed Kazi Mtaani.
The Principal Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Kang’ethe Thuku revealed this while on a tour of Mombasa to witness the progress of one of the slum upgrading programs domiciled in the Ministry of Housing.
“The youth in Mombasa are busy and crime has come down because they are working,” said Thuku.
Thuku and other members of the national steering committee appraised the ongoing works by the youth across the country on the Kazi Mtaani program initiated by the President as one of the mitigation measures against COVID 19.
He said the President saw it fit to cushion people most affected by the Corona crisis especially those in informal settlements who lost their jobs.
Over 6,700 youth and women have been employed to implement the clean-up exercise that involves training on how to protect themselves and others from contracting COVID-19, fumigation, bush clearing, the opening of drainages and garbage collection among other duties.
The Administrator added that the Kazi Mtaani program has come in handy to improve the economic income in the informal settlements whereby money generated by the youth circulate to local businesses.
He said the program involved eight counties for its pilot program and plans are complete to expand it to other areas following the success of the program now on its 16th day and running.
Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties comprise the eight areas chosen for the pilot targeting 46148 youth in informal settlement to carry out the hygiene program by cleaning areas they live in.
Thuku commended the county governments for their support and collaboration where they have brought in equipment to complement the national government.
Three informal settlements in Mombasa were identified and works are ongoing at Kaa Chonjo, Ziwa la Ngombe, Bangladesh and Old town which was the latest addition due to the current peculiarities and challenges, including cessation of movement.
The Mombasa County Commissioner (CC), Gilbert Kitiyo confirmed 1500 youth had been hired at Old town which is not an informal settlement but strategic to carry out the Kazi Mtaani program raising the number from the initial 6000 to 7500.
Kitiyo noted that they had problems initially but turn up has since improved to 99 percent as the program continues to become popular.
“There’s change on the ground and things are moving well. Kazi Mtaani is now very popular, drainages are open and streets cleaner,” observed the administrator.
By Joseph Kamolo
