Interior Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) William Kangethe Thuku says the National Hygiene Programme (NHP) dubbed ‘Kazi Mtaani’ is designed to empower youth to realize their full potential as the country fights coronavirus pandemic.
Thuku said the NHP championed by the national government will in the long run address the challenges of unemployment confronting the youth.
He said the initiative; besides involving the youth in efforts to fight the pandemic is an engaging way to raise awareness about the environment.
The national programme which is on a trial phase is being rolled out simultaneously in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kwale, Kilifi and Mandera counties which are identified as coronavirus hotspots.
He spoke in Kwale on Wednesday accompanied by Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and County Commissioner (CC) Karuku Ngumo when he led a monitoring and evaluation team to check on the progress of the youth empowerment initiative in the region.
Currently he said in the trial period the number of youth engaged is 26,000 but plans are afoot to increase that number to 200,000 youth across the country.
Thuku said the KaziMtaani programme demonstrates the faith the government has in the youth and urged them to engage in meaningful ventures that would better their lives.
On his part Mvurya said the NHP would not only take the youth off the street but it would also enhance security.
Mvurya said the problem of joblessness usually culminate in youth engaging in crime and drug and substance abuse.
The governor said the activities the labourers were undertaking included street cleaning services, fumigation and disinfection services, garbage collection and bush clearing among others.
He said his regional administration will work closely with the national government in efforts towards harnessing the energy and exuberance of the young people as the country battles the virus.
“As devolved units we are ready to stand with the national government as it seeks to generate work for the youth in the face of the covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
