National Hygiene Program dubbed ‘Kazi mtaani’ has been applauded for improved sanitation and reduced criminal activities in Kisii town and its environments in Kisii County.
Speaking during a supervision exercise three weeks after the program was initiated Kisii Central Deputy County Commissioner Leonard Mgute and his Kititu central Counterpart Elizabeth Atemi said impassable
feeder roads were cleared of bushes reducing mugging incidents in the area.
Atemi said almost 3,000 youths were being paid sh. 450 per day for workers and sh.550 per day for supervisors in the program to cushion them against the adverse effects of the global covid19 pandemic.
She said the youths drawn from four villages of Nubia, Daraja Mbili, Jogoo and Nyamataro which are mainly informal settlements were divided into shifts to give room for all the enlisted members to earn a
living.
Mgute said the 1,238 youth from part of Jogoo village which fallsunder his jurisdiction and Mwembe villages had already completed cleaning the county headquarters including the County commissioner and
governor’s office in the three weeks.
Mgute cited various challenges including hand gloves and delayed payment but assured interventions were being done to rectify the anomaly.
He however applauded the youths for smoothening galleys and clearing waterways to stop erosion in the hilly land.
Mgute noted that the program was implemented in phases and once the current phase is successful more youth would be incorporated into the program.
Kisii Central Ward MCA Kepha Mogaka applauded the government for cushioning the youth against the impacts of covid19.
Mogaka called for enlisting of more youth saying a bigger percentage was still jobless.
One beneficiary Doreen Miyaba urged female youths to enroll in the program when the chance appears saying there were benefits especially for those that lost their jobs due to Corona Virus.
Miyaba appealed to authorities to provide personal equipment including boots, masks and gloves for protection especially when they work in garbage sites and sewer lines.
Their Supervisor David Omondi from national youth service urged the government to hasten in issuing National Identity cards among other vital documents needed to enlist those who want to join the program, or find other forms of employment.
Omondi said they also needed reflector jackets when they are working in busy roads and during rains which often pound Gusii region.
By Clinton Nyamumbo and Jane Naitore