By Stephen Makabila

Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo has dismissed the Kazi kwa Vijana programme as a "failed project".

Mr Jirongo said despite billions of shillings injected into the programme, youths in rural areas remain jobless and live in abject poverty.

"The Sh15 billion pumped into the project are enough to give each constituency Sh71 million," said the MP.

Jirongo, who spoke at Itumbu-Lugari Primary School in his constituency, said some corrupt individuals in Government were diverting the money to their pockets as the youths remained jobless and poor.

"This programme is another scandal meant to siphon public funds. It is an even bigger scandal than Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing," added Jirongo.

He said there was no transparency in the way funds under the programme were distributed.