By Caren Waraba, DevReporter, West Pokot County
Kazi mtaani youth in West Pokot County have been rallying for peaceful elections in the four sub-counties, which have attracted a high number of youth who want to be engaged in the programme.
They are now appealing to the governor-elect Mr. Simon Kachapin to hold talks with the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, to ensure the programme is rolled out frequently to enable them to survive the high cost of living.
While speaking to some of them, Paul Manasseh one of the Kazi mtaani beneficiaries in Makutano town, West Pokot County, noted that, if majority of the youth are empowered through the Programme, there will be improved possibilities for economic growth.
“The first thing that the governor should do is to roll out the Kazi mtaani plan to ensure that it works efficiently and also be more accessible to the youth so that they benefit from the employment opportunities offered. He should also make sure that he creates more employment opportunities in West Pokot County.” Says Paul Manasseh.
Breadwinners
Valary Cheptum, one of the Kazi Mtaani beneficiaries, says that she has been able to provide enough food for her family as well as settle her own bills. She wants the governor-elect, to lay down foundational strategies that will see the project rolled out continuously in order to aid the youth, especially from vulnerable families. She also added that the 455 shillings they receive per day should be increased to cater for their needs and increased cost of living.
“At least we should be paid more than that because the cost of the living is very high now, 455 shillings can cater for other things; breakfast is requiured, our children are waiting for us…’’ Says Valary.
History
The Kazi Mtaani programme was launched in April 2020 to cushion the most vulnerable during the pandemic and it targets people aged between 18 to 35 years. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia stated that wages for the Kazi Mtaani programme will not be altered where a youth under the program will be paid 455 shillings per day for workers and 505 shillings per day for supervisors. According to the CS, the wages were set at the start of Phase II in July 2020 and they have not changed. At the moment, the Third phase has also been expanded and will have 533,608 youth from all wards across the country
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