President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the National Treasury to allocate Sh10 billion to the Kazi Mtaani programme.
The President noted this was necessitated due to the success of the programme and its effect in enhancing opportunities for the youth across the country.
"I direct the National Treasury to allocate Sh10 billion for the third phase of the Kazi Mtaani Programme. The programme covering over 200,000 youths will be rolled out to all counties, with priority given to densely populated areas," Uhuru said.
The President announced this Wednesday during the 58th Madaraka Day celebrations at Wang'uru Stadium in Kirinyaga county.
“I am happy to note that Kazi Mtaani, various tax reliefs and aid poise programs have reflected as a strong revenue performance for the country, increasing it by some 26.8 per cent,” Uhuru said.
He stated that the economic rebounds reflected a strong revenue performance as of the end of September 2021.
The President said the programme was part of the measures that will inject an additional Sh25 billion into the economy.
"These new initiatives complement ongoing state interventions that are expected to sustain the momentum of recovery, with the year’s growth rate projected to be six per cent," he said.
Kazi Mtaani is a national initiative that was launched in April last year, to cushion the most vulnerable and able-bodied youth living in informal settlements from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The programme, which started with a budget of Sh10 billion, employed 283,210 youths in 900 informal settlements across the 47 counties.
Targeting youth above eighteen years to 35 years who are unable to find work due to the economic disruptions.
The programme has transformed their lives by creating job opportunities, which has helped reduce crime in society.
The youths worked for a maximum of eight hours from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday with the exception of public holidays.
The work included cleaning drainage lines, garbage collection, cleaning streets, growing trees and rehabilitation of public facilities.
The beneficiaries operate on two shifts, each working 11 days a month.
Each youth earns Sh455 daily while supervisors take home Sh505 each per day.
Uhuru said Kazi Mtaani had created employment for thousands of youth and helped develop their entrepreneurial and financial skills through training.
The World Bank commended the program, saying it had helped in reducing crime and drug abuse in the informal settlements.
It added that the program has also reduced youth dependency on other people and improved livelihoods.
Edited by D Tarus
