The stalled National Youth Service (NYS) projects in Nairobi’s Kibra slum have been re-launched.
Youth Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the re-launch of the programme would ensure more youth in Saccos across the country benefitted from the new phase of the projects.
“Our mission is to empower more youths across the country. We have relaunched a new face of the youth project, which we believe will economically develop and build the capacity of youth in entrepreneurship, and train them in some relevant life skills,” Ms Kariuki said.
The CS said 72 constituencies have been identified to benefit from the project and Kibra is a pilot project.
She pointed out that the Government’s focus was to involve more unemployed youths in development of infrastructure, water and environmental projects, which will enhance access to job opportunities.
The CS said they have initiated 147 youth Saccos across the country with a working share capital of Sh400 million in circulation while youths had saved Sh980m.
SECURE ACCOUNTS
Kariuki said 572 million, which is part of the balance, has been put in secure accounts as the process to initiate more Saccos continues.
“We admit to the loss of 791 million from the NYS kitty since there was some element of misuse of funds by some individuals in the Government. I want to assure you that your money is safe and in secure accounts. Next month, we will create an additional 236 Saccos at constituency level to benefit from this fund,” the CS said.
The CS disclosed that 16 Saccos have been started in Kibra with 3,896 members registered and savings of Sh113.5 million. She said the funds have been used to launch a table-banking system, which is part of the youth-economic-empowerment project.
The CS also warned Kenyans not to politicise the programme.
Kibra MP Ken Okoth said more than 3,000 youths would benefit from the project, which he said would have an economic impact on many families, who have been suffering since it was stopped.
