About 6,807 youth in Laikipia County have been enrolled for the Third Phase of the National Hygiene programme dubbed Kazi Mtaani.
Speaking during the official launch in Nanyuki town, Tuesday, Laikipia County Commissioner (CC), Joseph Kanyiri, said the enlisted youth would be working in the 15 wards in the region.
“Every ward in Laikipia is set to benefit and youth are happy. They wish the program to extend for a period of a year. They will be engaged in cleaning the town, unclogging sewerage systems, planting of trees among others,” said Kanyiri, adding that in Laikipia East, about 2,670 youth were recruited among them 221 supervisors.
General workers will be paid Sh455 and for supervisors Sh505 through their Mpesa enabled sim cards.
He urged youth to save whenever they are paid and at the same time form youth groups, to enable them to benefit from government programs that are youth oriented such as the Youth Fund and Uwezo Fund among others.
He cautioned them against using drug substances when at work. The CC said apart from the hygiene programme, the beneficiaries will also be sensitized on upholding peace as the country gears up for August General Elections.
Kanyiri further noted, the youth would be also informed about HIV and Aids, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among other life skills.
“Our aim as a government is to have a clean environment, peaceful and skilful youth,” said the CC.
The youth are expected to clock in every morning and after the end of duties at 3pm by using the Kazi Mtaani app.
For Rose Wachira, a youth with disability from Nanyuki, Kazi Mtaani is a relief since she had been hunting for a job by the last four years.
“I hold a Diploma in Journalism and since there are no job opportunities in Kenya, that is why I’m here to try my luck. We are glad the government is non-discriminative for PWDs. We are qualified and ready to work,” she said.
The program will run for a period of three months and recruitment kicked-off on Monday countrywide.
The Kazi Mtaani programme Phase One and Two had ended in 2021, where President Uhuru Kenyatta promised the youth Third Phase would be rolled out.
