The youth engaged in Kazi Mtaani programme in Nandi have lauded the government for the initiative asserting that it has helped in improving their livelihoods three months on.
The over 2,700 youth recruited in the county have been engaged in several activities including unblocking drainages, bush clearing, cleaning of public and social amenities, tree planting and solid waste management in the seven informal settlements within Kapsabet Municipality.
The County Implementation Committee lauded some of the cohorts for the good work done since the programme kicked off in July.
Youth from the East View settlement have so far been lauded for doing 16 km of access road and Kamatargui settlement for planting over 500 trees at the youth offices.
Sospeter Kipsang, a youth from Tilalwo settlement thanked the government for the initiative and said that it has helped eliminate idleness among the youth.
“The crime rates, drug and alcohol abuse have also reduced since the youth are occupied and also encouraged for they are earning some monies at the end of the day,” said Kipsang.
Kipsang said he has benefitted from the programme financially and used part of the proceeds in tending 2,700 tea seedlings.
Another beneficiary Charles Kipchirchir told KNA that he has embarked on poultry farming to enable him generate more income.
Besides having money in their pockets, the youth have also benefitted from trainings on entrepreneurship, group formation, Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), national values and life skills.
Caiphas Kiprono a beneficiary from Kunurter settlement said he has gained a lot from the mentorship and training programs.
“I’ve just realized that I have been sleeping on opportunities for instance accessing loans to boost my business, and using the loans in expanding my business thus creating jobs for other unemployed youth,” explained Kiprono.
According to the County Director of Youth Alex Oyuga, the training aims at equipping the youth with relevant skills to enable them be self-reliant after the National Housing Programme (NHP) ends.
The entrepreneurship course is intended to enable the youth start and expand their businesses, create employment and participate in the national agenda.
Oyuga said group formation is part of the training that stands out as a social guarantee for the youth and through groups they are able to access affirmative funds such as the Youth Enterprise fund.
AGPO will equip the trainees with knowledge that will enable them participate in government procurement opportunities.
In life skills, the youth will be equipped with knowledge and values to change their mindset and empower them face realities of life.
The national values imparted in the youth will create a positive influence on work ethics and productivity as well as making substantial participation in leadership and management of resources at all sectors.
The programme rolled out in July has seen youth have money in their pockets and also changed the economies of their surroundings.
It was formed to cushion the most vulnerable youth in informal settlements from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the NHP County implementation committee has noted a few challenges affecting the programme for instance absenteeism and lack of resources to carry out legacy projects.
“The youth who will be absent for three days consecutively without substantive reasons will be relieved off their duties,” said a member of CIC during a review meeting.
The government allocated Sh10 billion into the programme and the first phase of Kazi Mtaani was launched in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kwale, Mombasa, Mandera, Kisumu and Kilifi.
The second phase started in July and will see over 280,000 youth in more than 1000 informal settlements countrywide engaged for six months earning Sh.455 for eleven days a month and supervisors Sh505.
By Bethsheba Abuya
