A total of 350 youth in Kericho County have been enrolled in the Kericho Municipal Cleaning program alias ‘equalizer Kazi kwa Vijana program’ within Kericho and Litein towns.
Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai launched the cleaning program that will run for the next six months after which another group of youths and women will be enrolled.
The Governor who was addressing the jua kali artisans and the business people at the Kericho Market said 200 of the recruited youth will carry out cleaning jobs within Kericho town, Kapsoit, Kapsuser, and Brook centres while 150 of them will be based in Litein town and its environs.
“We are targeting a total of 1000 women and youths in this program but we start off with 350 then after six months we recruit others and this will greatly benefit the youth and women who are struggling during these harsh economic times,” said Mutai
The program will involve the youths in key activities such as street cleaning or access path clearing; fumigation and disinfection; garbage collection; bush clearing; and drainage cleaning/clearing/unclogging.
According to Mutai, the youths will earn Sh400 per day which translates to Sh. 12,000 per month while their supervisors will earn a wage of Sh.21,000 per month. “The workers will be engaged in the cleaning exercise for just a few hours early in the mornings then go back to their hustles during the day,” said Mutai
The governor who was accompanied by other local leaders including the Kapkugerwet Member of County Assembly (MCA) Martin Cheruiyot assured the traders at the market that a public toilet will be constructed and tap water provided at the market vicinities for them to carry out their activities in a conducive environment.
By Kibe Mburu and Brenda Cherono
