Machakos County has set its sights on providing much-needed employment opportunities to its young population with the announcement of a major recruitment drive.
The county government plans to hire 1,000 youths over the next 12 months under the ambitious "Ng’arisha Mtaa na Governor Wavinya Ndeti Programme," a project aimed at revitalising local communities through environmental cleanup efforts.
In a public notice published in a local daily on Thursday, the county detailed its strategy to engage youth between the ages of 18 and 35, mirrors the now-defunct Kazi Mtaani initiative.
The new programme, which will see young men and women employed as casual workers across various municipalities, urban towns, and markets, is set to focus primarily on solid waste management.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating employment opportunities for our youth,” the notice read.
Adding, “The County Government of Machakos is hiring 1,000 youths as casuals across the county for the next 12 months. This is not just about cleaning up; it’s about giving our young people a chance to earn a living and contribute to the well-being of their communities.”
The recruitment exercise, scheduled for August 28, 2024, will be conducted across all sub-locations in Machakos County. Youths eager to participate are required to report to their local Assistant Chiefs' offices at 8:00am, with the selection process operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
This move comes at a time when the national government, under President William Ruto, is re-evaluating the possibility of reviving the Kazi Mtaani programme, which was initially introduced during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure.
The programme was discontinued in September 2022, with Ruto citing concerns over its misuse for political gain and the mismanagement of public funds.
However, in a recent speech in Nakuru, President Ruto hinted at a potential return of the programme, responding to public demand for its revival.
He announced that 500 youths would soon be employed under the initiative, although specifics regarding the nationwide rollout remain unclear.
"There are women here who have told me they want Kazi Mtaani. Starting next week, 500 people will be working here under that plan," the President stated, emphasising his administration’s commitment to creating dignified employment opportunities for the youth.
The Kazi Mtaani programme was previously known for employing 500 youths per ward on a rotational basis, providing them with a daily stipend in exchange for their labour in maintaining public infrastructure.
While Ruto had initially dismissed the programme as outdated, favouring the development of affordable housing projects instead, the latest developments suggest a reconsideration in response to public sentiment.
Ruto stated, "This is so that we can make sure more young people can get employment opportunities."
The reimagined Kazi Mtaani, if reintroduced, is expected to complement other job creation strategies under the Kenya Kwanza administration, including digital job creation, labour export, and the affordable housing programme.
However, questions remain regarding the policy framework and budget allocations required to sustain these initiatives.
Before making the political declaration, Ruto's administration had not yet prepared a policy or budget allocation for the program.
The Kazi Mtaani programme is expected to complement other initiatives rolled out by the Kenya Kwanza administration to eliminate unemployment in the country.
They include and not limited to; digital job creation, human labour export, and the affordable housing programme.
