Principal Secretary for industrialisation, Dr. Francis Owino Friday challenged youths recruited to participate in the National hygiene programme to use the wages as a start-up capital for small scale businesses.
Owino, who was officially launching the programme, dubbed Kazi Mtaani, in Siaya County, said it was the wish of the government to see the beneficiaries use the money wisely to change their future.
“Form groups where you can pool resources and start income generating activities using the money that you will earn from the programme,” he said adding, “this is an opportunity that can impact on your future positively.”
The PS said that more than 3,000 youths will participate in the programme in Siaya County where they will be engaged in bush clearing, unblocking drainages, opening up access roads among other activities.
Speaking at the Siaya KMTC grounds, Owino who was flanked by deputy governor, Dr. James Okumbe, Siaya women representative, Dr. Christine Ombaka and other national government officials also challenged the county governments to look for ways of extending the programme beyond the six-month period.
“The county governments are free to come up with ways of extending it beyond the six-month period” he said while responding to a request by Siaya township member of the county assembly, Obiero Otare who called on the national government to consider extending it beyond the six months.
Otare had said that money set aside for MCAs and Members of parliament’s travelling and accommodation both locally and internationally be channeled to Kazi Mtaani.
Siaya deputy governor, Dr. Okumbe said the project will enable the county government save close to 30 percent of its infrastructure projects.
Okumbe, who hailed President Uhuru Kenyatta and the government for initiating Kazi Mtaani, said that the county government of Siaya will support its implementation fully.
Siaya women representative, Dr. Christine Ombaka called on the youths to take the work seriously and help improve their environment.
By Philip Onyango
