Youths in Kisumu County have been urged to shun politicians who incite them to fuel violence during the electioneering period.
The youths instead were asked to actively engage in the available job opportunities that would enable them to earn a living and fend for their families.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika said the statements when he officially flagged off the third phase of Kazi Mtaani program in Kisumu, Monday.
Mutindika said the security agencies in the lakeside county have worked tirelessly to ensure Kisumu achieves its peaceful glory insisting that they would not relent to allow political intolerance to water down these gains.
“This time round we do not want to tarnish the good name of Kisumu City as an epicenter for violence during the general elections. The government has invested heavily to develop Kisumu into a reputable city that hosts international summits. Let us not be used by politicians to cause chaos and destroy properties. We must show the world that we are peaceful people even during elections,” warned Mutindika.
He said the commencement of the third phase of the Kazi Mataani initiative is an indicator that the national government cares for its citizens, urging the beneficiaries to work diligently to earn a living.
The State Department of Housing and Urban Development has set aside Sh.10billion for the final phase of the Kazi Mtaani Programme under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime. The initiative was designed to cushion the most vulnerable youth in the informal settlements from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
Mutindika reported that beneficiaries have been drawn from all the elective wards countrywide with youths who performed well in the previous phases of the program given top priority.
He urged them to make good use of their earnings testifying that the exercise had brought forth life-changing opportunities to a number of focused individuals in the previous phases.
“We urge you to use the money in an appropriate manner. Use the small money to take care of your young families and avoid engaging in domestic vices and drug abuse,” cautioned the regional commissioner.
Kisumu County Commissioner Josephine Ouko while speaking at the same event reported that out of the 13,984 slots given to Kisumu County, only 5,146 people have been recruited so far.
“The registration process was digitized and might have blocked out many potential individuals who did not manage to send their applications. However, the portal is still active until Friday to allow locals to apply and fill the balance of 8,838 slots,” said Ouko.
The 452 supervisors in the county were urged to be youth champions to help advocate for behavioral change among the young generation to reduce crime in society.
The beneficiaries will work for a maximum of eight hours during the government official working hours from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. They will operate in two cohorts, each working nine days a month.
The exercise is expected to run for three months between June, and July and ends in August.
The youths’ work will include cleaning streets and drainage lines, garbage collection, growing trees and rehabilitation of public facilities in Kisumu’s informal settlements.
The workers and supervisors will each earn Sh455 and Sh505 per day respectively.
The programme targets vulnerable members of society with a minimum requirement of a class eight KCPE certificate.
One of the beneficiaries Enock Ochieng’ thanked the national government for bringing back the program saying it would enable many families to feed their loved ones and take children to school.
The programme was also unveiled in other regions countrywide on Monday.
