- The Deputy President also said that he is addressing delayed funding to the TVETs.
- Gachagua also said that construction and equipping more TVETs will partly offer a solution to social challenges.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended the proposed housing fund contribution of 3 per cent.
Gachagua said it is a way of creating more jobs for the youth while dignifying Kenyans who have no homes.
Speaking during the inaugural graduation at Mukurwe-ni Technical Training Institute, Nyeri, Gachagua said the affordable housing pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is designed to create jobs for the youth.
"The affordable housing pillar of our Plan has two phases. Building over 200,000 house units annually will enable Kenyans to live in dignity. With each housing requiring an average of eight artisans, it will also create over 1.6 million job opportunities," he said.
The Deputy President asked Kenyans to support the proposed 3 per cent contribution from employees saying it is a proactive way of supplementing the government's efforts of solving unemployment, especially now that resources are being invested in TVETs.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration will continue funding these institutions, which offer skills for students not only for self-employment but also to encourage entrepreneurship.
This will create jobs for others beyond the students, hence more impact on the community.
"President William Ruto, who championed the idea of TVETs when he was the Minister for Education and Deputy President is now in charge of the country. He has sent me here to share his commitment to supporting the TVETs. He will offer them proper attention," Gachagua said.
The Deputy President also said that he is addressing delayed funding to the TVETs.
"This evening, I will engage the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u to agree on a framework of immediate release of capitation funds to the TVETs. This will help them to meet their obligations," he said.
Gachagua also said that construction and equipping more TVETs will partly offer a solution to social challenges.
He said the release of funds from the Exchequer had been delayed as the government collected more funds.
"We will not borrow to cater for recurrent expenditure. We will only borrow, if necessary, for sustainable development," he said.
He asked leaders in Central Kenya and across the country to mobilise unskilled youth to enrol in TVETs.
Gachagua said alcohol and substance abuse can be ended if the youth receive the requisite skills to enable them to lead better lives.
He asked those who have been engaging in Illicit alcohol and substance abuse to look for alternative ways of earning a living because the government will not relent on the ongoing crackdown.
He warned the national administration officials to be firm in the crackdown.
"We must protect our young people. I request the local administration to do the right thing. Let's protect our young generation from destruction by bad people," he said.
At least 830 students graduated in various courses from the TVET for the first time since its establishment in 2015.