Murang’a Governor has launched a replica of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Kazi Mtaani Initiative which will see youth be employed by the County Government to clean towns.
The Muranga Youth Service will see young people paid Ksh400 per day to complement the job done by county workers which is almost similar scheme to the defunct Kazi Mtaani.
Of the Ksh400, Kang’ata will pay Ksh100 to the youth parent's accounts leaving the workers with Ksh300.
While explaining the vision of his programme on Tuesday, Kang’ata remarked that it would create short-term opportunities for jobless youth.
Additionally, the programme would enhance environmental management.
In the long term, Kang’ata envisions equipping youths with trade skills as well as seed capital provision so that they can start their own entrepreneurial ventures.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta started a similar initiative in May 2020 where youth were being paid Ksh450 a day.
Kang’ata who was elected under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket was among the politicians who opposed Uhuru’s programme.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja who is also a member of UDA in August begged President William Ruto to bring back the Kazi Mtaani Initiative.
"We have asked the president to return Kazi Mtaani and if not in the initial form, we can engage in available activities such as growing trees and building houses," the governor begged.
Uhuru’s administration pumped an initial Ksh10 billion to the program noting that it would help restore public hygiene standards.
The program was discontinued by President William Ruto in October 2022, terming the initiative as an avenue to siphon public funds.
“I know you have been stating you want Kazi Mtaani. Listen to me that is outdated. We will have enough job opportunities for our young people without using them to collect garbage,” the President announced while abolishing his predecessor's initiative.
Ruto remarked that instead of the youth working in the Kazi Mtaani Initiative, they would be employed to work at the Affordable Housing Programme.
