More than 270,000 youths to be absorbed in Kazi Mtaani programme

The government is targeting to enroll more than 270,000 youths in the second phase of the National Hygiene Programme (NHP), dubbed Kazi Mtaani.

According to Charles Hinga, State Department of Housing and Urban Development PS, an inter-ministerial team has developed grassroots work plans for the Sh10 billion budget programme.

The second phase will see youths across the 47 counties being involved in the program, unlike the first phase which was being piloted in eight counties.

The first phase which will come to an end on July 30 has seen 31,689 from eight counties working on the national initiative designed to cushion the most vulnerable but able-bodied citizens living in informal settlements from the effects of coronavirus.

Hinga said that the initiative will employ workers primarily drawn from the informal settlements in urban and rural settings.

“The Kazi Mtaan national technical committee has prepared robust works plans that will see more than 270,000 Kenyans earning Sh455 daily wage and engaged in more community and infrastructure development projects," Hinga said.

The PS added that the initiative provides employment opportunities to underrepresented groups and provide platforms to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The objective of the Kazi Mtaani programme is to provide a form of social protection for workers whose prospects for daily or casual work has been disrupted by the containment policies put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19," Hinga said.

The first phase of the program saw youths from the informal settlements in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kilifi, Kwale and Mandera Counties benefiting.

The president had issued a warning to state officers who might be tempted to take advantage of the funds set aside for the program.