Uhuru warns politicians to keep off Kazi Mtaani project
Alvin Mwangi and PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned politicians against using his ongoing Sh10 billion Kazi Mtaani Youth Employment Project and other development initiatives to seek votes ahead of the 2022 elections.
The Head of State directed government administration officers to take charge of the government’s projects as a way of locking out politicians who have been milking mileage from them by claiming credit for their implementation.
“The programme will be free of any political interference. It’ll not be a process which politicians will use to get votes,” the President cautioned.
He spoke at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) after presiding a two-day training of government officers who will oversee the rollout and implementation of the Phase Two of the National Hygiene Programme commonly referred to as Kazi Mtaani that was mooted to assist youth whose livelihoods were disrupted by the Covid-19 health crisis.
He added: “All Regional Commissioners should take full charge and ensure all the monies distributed will go for the intended purposes. If this programme will not bear the intended results I will know who to call directly and very soon you will also see me on the ground,”
Cash allocated
The President regretted that similar interventions have in the past mismanaged and warned those given the responsibility of presiding over them that he would not tolerate failure of theft of cash allocated to the programme.
“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.
“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.
On the recruitment of beneficiaries of the programme, Uhuru said priority should be given to the needy and the exercise should be done under close supervision of local administrators, elders and the Nyumba Kumi to ensure transparency in the process.
“Recruit people who are in need and not brothers, sisters or cousins. This money should only help the people who are in real need.
The first test for you will be the recruitment,” the President told the administrators.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i echoed the President’s message, saying the national roll-out of the programme must meet the highest levels of integrity and transparency.
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 administration.
