President William Ruto has announced the revival of the Kazi Mtaani initiative, now rebranded as ‘Climate Works Mashinani’. This new iteration aims to engage youth in environmental conservation activities, marking a shift from the previous focus on community cleaning under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. Ruto’s announcement, made during a speech in Kisumu on Saturday, responds to the growing calls from local leaders for more job opportunities for the youth in the region.
Responding to Local Calls for Youth Employment
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd in Kisumu, President Ruto underscored his commitment to addressing youth unemployment through various government programs. “Mnataka tuanzishe mambo ya kazi ya hawa vijana hapa mtaani. Mnipatie mwezi mmoja hio kazi napanga saa hii. Baada ya mwezi mmoja tutakuwa na mpango wa Climate Works Mashinani. Mtanisaidia katika mambo ya mazingira na mambo yale mengine. Nyinyi vijana kuna kazi inakuja ya mtaani,” Ruto stated, which translates to, “You want us to start work programs for these young people here. Give me one month, and we will have those jobs. I am planning. After one month, we will have the Climate Works Mashinani program. You will help me in environmental matters and other matters. You guys, there are jobs coming.”
The President highlighted that the initiative is still in the planning stages but is expected to kick off in a month’s time, offering a promising avenue for youths to contribute to environmental conservation while earning an income. The focus on environmental conservation reflects a strategic pivot, aligning the program with broader goals of sustainability and climate action.
Beyond Environmental Conservation: Diversifying Employment Opportunities
In addition to Climate Works Mashinani, Ruto outlined several other employment opportunities that the government is rolling out to tackle youth unemployment across the country. These include roles in affordable housing projects, digital jobs, manufacturing, and market-related activities. Ruto emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to create diverse job opportunities, enabling youths not only to earn within the country but also to explore labor export options.
The President’s announcement also touched on the importance of these initiatives in providing stable incomes for the youth, especially in light of the economic challenges that have persisted since the COVID-19 pandemic. By expanding the scope of employment beyond temporary community cleaning projects, Ruto aims to create more sustainable and impactful work opportunities for the youth.
A Shift from the Past: From Garbage Collection to Building the Future
The Kazi Mtaani program was originally launched under former President Uhuru Kenyatta as a response to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided young people with temporary jobs in community cleaning efforts, offering weekly payments as a means to cushion them against economic hardship. However, upon taking office in 2022, President Ruto abolished the program, arguing that it was outdated and insufficient in addressing the long-term employment needs of the youth.
“Kaazi Mtaani is now outdated; the Kaazi Mtaani of collecting garbage will not be the case. Building will now be our business, and the first people to get jobs in this project will be from Kibra,” Ruto previously stated, highlighting his administration’s focus on housing construction as a more viable and impactful employment strategy. He pointed out that the housing program is not just about constructing homes but also about creating significant employment opportunities, particularly for those who were previously involved in Kazi Mtaani.
Ruto noted that while the Kazi Mtaani project employed a relatively small number of individuals, the new housing projects would significantly increase employment opportunities. By rebranding and refocusing the initiative as Climate Works Mashinani, the President hopes to provide more meaningful employment while also contributing to Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts.
As the nation awaits the rollout of Climate Works Mashinani, there is optimism that this program will not only provide much-needed jobs but also foster a culture of environmental stewardship among Kenya’s youth, aligning employment goals with the critical need for sustainable development.
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