Raila hails Uhuru’s Kazi Mtaani, says it’s better than handouts

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has hailed government’s Kazi Mtaani Initiative saying it will equip youth with necessary skills that will help market themselves in future.

According to Raila, the Kazi Mtaani Initiative had offered employment to the youths who have been relying on handouts since the pandemic.

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Raila Odinga addressing members of the public during a past political function. Photo: ODM
Source: Facebook

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In a Sunday, July 19, post on social media, the African envoy said the government had opted for the initiative in a bid to provide jobs to the youths in a manner that is consistent and reliable.

“Here’s a chance to put money into youth’s pockets in a way that is consistent, predictable, reliable and accountable while contributing to their ability to be able to market themselves in future through skills acquired in the middle of the pandemic,” said Raila in a Twitter post.

In an opinion article published by the Daily Nation, Raila said charities and handouts that are given out by politicians and other philanthropic people, they do not translate to skills and therefore does not contribute to building their careers.

Youths collecting garbage during Kazi Mtaani Initiative in Nairobi. Photo: Capital FM
Source: UGC

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He urged as many youths to join the initiative saying the skills they will acquire in the three months in the programme served to give them the right skills for the job market.

He likened the Kazi Mtaani Initiative to the famous Kazi Kwa Vijana initiative which was launched in 2009 to cushion Kenyans giant the economic impact experienced in the country after the Post Election Violence of 2008.

Raila noted there were administrative challenges that were experienced during the programme but pointed out that they were vital in helping guide the Kazi Mtaani Initiative in bid to benefit Kenyans.

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When the initiative was launched, those who were given jobs were each paid KSh 600 per day but this was later reduced to KSh 400 per day.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader said the reduction in pay was necessary so as to have as many youths as possible enrolled in the program.

The programme has been rolled out I several counties and is currently under local administrators who enlist the youths to be employed and assigning them duties.

However, there have been concerns that some chiefs have been favouring their close relatives and friends.

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