Uhuru warns politicians against interfering with Kazi Mtaani
President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned against political
interference in the forthcoming national roll-out of the Kazi Mtaani youth
employment program.
The President said the initiative was mooted to assist
Kenyan youth whose livelihoods had been disrupted by the Covid-19 health
crisis.
“The program will be free of any political interference.
It’ll not be a process which politicians will use to get votes,” he cautioned.
The Head of State spoke at KICC in Nairobi, at the close of
a two-day training workshop on Kazi Mtaani for Regional and County
Commissioners on Thursday.
Following the successful pilot phase of the program, the
national roll-out of the youth employment initiative will start on Monday next
week.
The President said the pilot phase of the intervention,
which was conducted in eight counties, had been a major success.
“I had the opportunity to visit a number of sites where
these young people were working and I saw the positive impact they had in terms
of improving lives and protecting the environment of those who are the most
vulnerable,” he said.
The Head of State regretted that similar interventions were
in the past mismanaged and, directed Regional and County Commissioners to take
full control of the program.
“Many of you will recall that a similar program was
unfortunately abused. I have to be very clear with you, we will not entertain
abuse this time around.
"It will be your direct responsibility to ensure that
there is no abuse. It is for you to ensure that the money that comes to your
regions is used properly and used for the intended purpose,” the President
said.
President Kenyatta charged Regional and County Commissioners
with the responsibility of ensuring transparency in the recruitment of the
youth into the program.
He said beneficiaries of the Kazi Mtaani initiative should
be identified purely on merit.
“Recruit people who are in need and not brothers, sisters or
cousins. This money should only help people who are in real need. The first
test for you will be the recruitment," the President told the
administrators.
In his remarks, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i reiterated the
President’s message saying the national roll out of the program must meet the
highest levels of integrity and transparency.
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Dr Matiang'i observed that the pilot phase of the youth
employment initiative had registered positive outcomes.
“So far, so good. We have had very positive reports from the
field. The level of commitment, focus and effectiveness are very high.
But still, much more is demanded of us to go forward. It’s then upon us not to let the President down,” the Interior CS rallied the administrators.