More youths in Nairobi will be hired in the second phase of the Kazi Mtaani national hygiene programme.
The Sh10 billion programme was launched on Monday at the county level by regional commissioners, targeting 270,000 youths.
Regional commissioners will oversee the project in collaboration with stakeholders from counties.
The second phase will see youths across the 47 counties involved in the programme, following successful piloting in eight counties.
During budget reading on June 11, Treasury CS Ukur Yatani allocated Sh10 billion to the programme.
The programme will run for six months in all the 47 counties.
Kazi Mtaani was launched on April 25 by President Uhuru Kenyatta to provide social relief through job opportunities to young people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was rolled out in 28 slums in the eight counties of Nairobi, Nakuru, Kilifi, Kwale, Mandera, Mombasa, Kisumu and Kiambu.
In Nairobi, 10,600 youths living in Mathare, Kibera, Korogocho and Mukuru Kwa Njenga were enlisted in the first phase .
Last week , Kamkunji deputy commissioner Moses Lilan said the subcounty had 6,047 chances in the second phase of Kazi Mtaani.
In Kamkunji , Kiambiu will have 1,500 chances, Eastleigh North 879, Eastleigh South 1,159, Pumwani 784, Shauri Moyo 747, Airbase 647 and Uhuru 330.
Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the initiative will employ workers primarily drawn from the informal settlements in urban and rural settings.
He noted that those enrolled in the programme will earn a daily wage while undertaking duties such as cleaning , fumigation and disinfection, garbage collection, bush clearance and unclogging of drainages.
“The Kazi Mtaani 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.
At least 31,689 youths have benefited from the first phase of the national initiative expected to end on July 30, 2020.
Edited by Henry Makori
