Lamu County Commissioner Macharia Irungu has revealed that at least 4,773 youths will benefit from the Kazi Mtaani inititaitive aimed at cushioning those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to KNA in Mokowe , Macharia said that the third phase of the Kazi Mtaani initiative has increased its number of beneficiaries from 2,407 youths in a bid to cushion vulnerable youth from being exploited by politicians to cause unrest during the electioneering period.
Flanked by Lamu County officials namely:Omar Famau the Chairman Lamu Municipality and Paul Thairu, CECM Education and Youth Affairs, the county commissioner expressed optimism that the programme would help youths earn a living and steer clear off of election violence.
“The national government understand the importance and significance that the Kazi Mtaani programme has had and the large number of youths who have come to confirm their registration is a testament of the goodwill the initiative has within the county,” he said.
He further noted that those who had come for the registration exercise were mostly aged between 18 to 35 years old.
Sentiments echoed by Lamu Municipality Chairman Omar Famau who stated that the programme will aid the county keep the Island clean.
“The Kazi Mtaani Initiative in the last phase was a success since the youths who were involved in the programme helped the Municipality maintain cleanliness within Lamu Old Town,”Famau said.
He further noted that at least 300 youths who were working for the Kazi Mtaani Initiative had been absorbed as county staff since last year.
“Some of the youths who were involved in the Kazi Mtaani initiative in the last two phases have been taken up by the county government to serve as County askaris and even some form part of the county disaster response team,” CEC incharge of Education and Youth Affairs Paul Thairu said.
He said that the programme will also equip the youth with life skills aimed at creating job opportunities as well as to enable them to engage in self-employment in fields such as plumbing, masonry, and carpentry among others.
The third phase of the Kazi Mtaani Initiative is expected to run up to November this year.
