By Joseph Masha and Leonard Korir
The European Union (EU) has donated Sh10 billion to support roads and water projects to help reduce poverty.
However, EU Head of Delegation in Kenya Eric van der Linden questioned Government commitment to maintain such projects once completed and handed over to communities. Van Linden: Many road projects supported by EU are damaged but the Government has not repaired them. [PHOTO: MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]
"I am worried on how such projects could be sustained to benefit the people for a long time because I have not seen Government seriousness to make special budgets…on donor supported projects," said Linden.
He said many road projects supported by EU, including the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, have been damaged and the Government has not shown signs of repairing them.
Target agenda
Mr John Waithaka, the Government co-ordinator of the project, said local authorities should make proper use of funds donated by EU for the projects to reduce poverty.
The official said some local authorities in have not been transparent and accountable in as far as the funds were concerned.
"The main goal of the EU donated funds was to empower the local authorities to identify community development based projects to improve their economy and living standards. It will be wrong if some councils will not stick to the target agenda," said Waithaka.
He said the reason why the projects were based in rural areas was because residents there were the most affected by poverty.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of State for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands has rolled out a youth capacity building programme in Trans Mara District.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Lolgorian, Trans Mara Drought Management Officer Anne Oloolumbwa said Vision 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals would be achieved only if youth were equipped with diverse skills. Trans Mara Warriors Youth Group became the first beneficiary of the project.
Ms Oloolumbwa said the training was a pilot project, which was expected to extend to other parts of the district.
She said the programme would break the culture of youth relying on white-collar jobs and instead create other income generating activities.
"A lot of opportunities go unexploited in most parts of the district since many youth have a fixed mindset that job opportunities are found only in big cities," she said.
The official said lack of initiatives to strengthen community groups on economic issues is to blame for the abject poverty .
The youth would be educated on environmental conservation, drug abuse and HIV and Aids, among other issues.