Rift Valley Regional commissioner Maalim Mohamed has cautioned youth against being used by politicians to engage in acts of violence during electioneering period.
Maalim who made the call at Baringo county police headquarters in Kabarnet during launch of third phase of Kazi Mtaani programme, challenged the youth to stay away from leaders who are out to use them as political pawns for their selfish gains.
He expressed concerns that some unscrupulous politicians were taking advantage especially of the huge mass of unemployed youth to carry out illegal activities like disrupting opponents’ rallies or defacing billboards and leaving them to carry their own crosses whenever they plunge into problems.
The RC stated that security agencies were vigilant and on high alert to thwart any attempts by individuals who want to cause mayhem and detract meaningful development undertaken in the country.
“This time round we shall be tough on politicians who incite or cause chaos and we shall be apprehending even their supporters to face the full force of the law,” he said.
Maalim urged the youth to keenly scrutinize good leaders who are development conscious adding that the Kazi Mtaani programme was one of the transformational achievements of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government which has greatly changed the lives of Kenyan youth.
The Regional Administrator stated the three-month exercise coming under the National Hygiene Programme will cover 126, 092 cohorts in Rift Valley scheduled to earn a daily stipend of Sh455 and Sh505 for supervisors.
Maalim revealed that the Sh1.9 billion allocated for the programme in the region extends to the most vulnerable persons in the society like single mothers and widows aged above 35 who are outside the youth bracket to enable them support their families.
“Cattle rustlers and notorious brewers are also eligible for the programme because the aim is to transform them to become dependable people in the society,” he quipped.
On his part, County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa stated that out of the over 126, 000 beneficiaries in Rift Valley 5, 617 came from Tiaty East, Tiaty West and Baringo North sub-counties which were not covered during the first and second phases.
Jaldesa stated that the county implementation committee will work round the clock to ensure that the economic stimulus initiative which will majorly involve environmental activities achieves its intended objectives.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
