THE KAZI MTAANI PROGRAMME AND ITS IMPACT ON THE YOUTH
BY: OBED KERONGO NYANUSI
Late December 2019, a new type of Corona virus, Covid -19 was reported. The virus which originated from Wuhan in China, soon started spreading like wildfire across the world leading to a global panic. It was reported to severely damage the respiratory system and killed most of its victims. As a result, many countries around the globe moved swiftly to put travel restrictions including total lockdowns in a bid to try curb the spread of the virus. Many businesses were shut down with most employees being sent on compulsory unpaid leave. Schools shut down as well and students were asked to go back home and wait for directions from the government on when to resume. As a result, the global economy went on a nosedive and the unemployment levels skyrocketed.
In a bid to cushion the youth against the pressure caused by unemployment due to Covid-19, the World Bank in collaboration with the Kenyan government came up with a programme (KAZI MTAANI) to provide a platform where the youth would be kept busy and at the same time, be able to pay bills like food and rent for themselves. The World Bank would provide the funding while the Kenyan Government would fully implement the programme and report back to the World Bank.
After registration of more than 270,000 youth aged between 18–35, the government on August of this year rolled out the programme in all the counties of the republic. The programme, dubbed the National Hygiene Program is to run for six months till January of 2021. Some of the activities being carried out include but are not limited to: Access path cleaning, fumigation and disinfection services, tree planting, unclogging of drainage systems, distribution of masks and bush clearing among many others. The youth receive an average of Ksh 500 daily paid after every 11 days through Safaricom’s Mpesa.
More than two months down the line, the program has to a large extent positively impacted the society. Initially as would be expected of a new program, many logistical and technical problems that threatened the success of the program were experienced. However, multi-government agencies came together and worked day and night to solve many of these problems and put the program back to a smooth trajectory. Today, walking across the streets, one would not help but notice a significant change of the environment. The streets are much cleaner, drainage systems are flowing smoothly, more acres of land have been put under tree plantations and acres of bushes have been cleared. More so, the youth have been kept occupied and can afford to put food on their tables. This means they do not have to engage in crime or any other heinous activities for them to pay their bills.
Youths working on a drainage system
With about three months left to go till the end of the program, the Government should put in place more accountability measures to ensure utmost success. It should ensure all workers under the programs are fully paid their dues. Every penny allocated to the program should be fully accounted for. The government should also innovate more tasks to ensure that the youth gain enough experience and can be called upon to work whenever any vacancies arise in the future.
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The Writer is a Postgraduate Student at the Multimedia University of Kenya.
