Uhuru warns against embezzlement of ‘Kazi Mtaani’ funds

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday warned against the misuse of funds meant for the National Hygiene Programme popularly known as Kazi Mtaani initiative.

The president spoke at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during the closure of training of officers who will oversee the roll-out and implementation of the initiative's second phase. He is expected to announce on July 6 when the phase will be launched.

The initiative has been allocated Sh10 billion and will run for six months in all the 47 counties. About 300,000 youth are to benefit from the programme.

“We want this to have an impact on the lives of young people. But that can only happen if the monies given are utilised properly,” the president said.

He said he won’t entertain abuse of the initiative as happened in the case of the National Youth Service.

Uhuru also warned against politicising the recruitment process. He said those in dire need of the jobs should be recruited first.

Beneficiaries

He said local elders and Nyumba Kumi leaders will identify beneficiaries.

He said the initiative aims at assisting the most vulnerable in society during this period, stressing that he will follow it very closely “because I have seen its impact on young people, especially in Nairobi.”

He said there are plans to roll out the initiative in all informal settlements across the country. It has been piloted in Mathare, Korogocho, Mukuru and Kibera and other informal settlements.