The government will spend Sh.10 billion nationally on the kazi mtaani initiative in an effort to mitigate against the effects of covid-19 among youths.
Wildlife Principal Secretary Prof. Fred Sigor said youths in Trans Nzoia will get Sh.135 million at the end of the six month programme.
According to Prof. Sigor, many youths are faced with unemployment which was caused by the corona virus that left them vulnerable.
The PS who was speaking during the official launch of the National hygiene programme dubbed “Kazi Mtaani” at Tuwani estate in Kitale town said that the initiative benefited youths from informal settlements.
“At the end of the programme, the government may reconsider extending the initiative if it will have achieved desired results,” he said.
He said that the initial payment of sh.650 in the pilot programme per day per youth was reversed downwards to sh. 455 to accommodate more youths.
In Trans Nzoia only two constituencies that had informal settlements benefited and included Tuwani, Matisi, Kipsongo, Shimo la Tewa and Lukhuna.
Prof. Sigor earlier on paid a courtesy call to the county commissioner Samson Ojwang’ where he led the programmes technical committee plant trees. He also paid a courtesy call to area governor Patrick Khaemba.
Governor Khaemba raised concern over upcoming slums in rural areas and asked the national government to work with him to stop the move.
He said that delay in completion of projects like roads hindered benefits and service to residents and asked the national government to move with speed to ask the contractor to complete the Kitale-Suam road that is at 58 percent completion.
He thanked the President for the kazi mataani initiative which according to the government was going to reduce crime among the youths.
“The programme will help individual youths earn something besides helping us clean our town,” he said.
In Trans Nzoia, over 4,000 youths have been enrolled in the National hygiene programme and will work for 11 days in a month for six months.
By Pauline Ikanda
