The Mt Kenya Times 
Kisii county governor Simba Arati addressing the fourth cohort of Kazi Mashinani where he has urged critics to change their perception and recognise the workers’ contribution to the community photo/Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Kisii Governor Simba Arati has come out strongly in defence of Kazi Mashinani workers, insisting that the group is made up of young people who deserve respect and a fair chance to earn a living.
Speaking during the launch of the fourth cohort of the programme in Kisii County, Arati dismissed claims that portray the workers as goons, saying they keep the town clean while earning an income to support themselves and their families.
“Kazi Mashinani, they are not goons. They are good people,” he said, urging critics to change their perception and recognise the workers’ contribution to the community.
The governor said the programme was designed to give young people hope and a steady income to meet their daily needs.
“These are the people we are working with. We will continue as a team, as servants of the people, to give them hope and make sure they have something to put on their table at the end of the month,” he said.
A cleaner Kisii
Arati pointed to the visible change in the county’s urban centres as proof that the programme is working. Since the initiative began, the workers have become a familiar presence in Kisii town and its surroundings, sweeping streets, clearing drainage channels and collecting garbage that once piled up in markets and along roadsides. The result is a cleaner, more orderly town that is more pleasant for residents, traders and visitors alike.
Beyond the cleaner streets, the governor said the programme has created work for hundreds of young people who might otherwise be idle, and has given them a sense of purpose and ownership over their town.
Not above the law
Arati rejected the claim that confrontations involving some workers reflect the whole group, maintaining that Kisii town remains peaceful and that isolated incidents should not tarnish everyone.
He also said the workers are human beings who deserve dignity as they carry out their duties across the town.
“When these guys are walking, people start throwing stones at them, then you expect them to grab you. They are human beings, too. Let us have respect,” he said.
The governor was equally clear that the workers are not above the law. “Anybody, including Kazi Mashinani workers, who is going to engage in an unlawful activity should be handled by the government,” he said.
He urged residents who feel assaulted or mistreated to report to the police rather than confront the workers, stressing that disputes should be settled through the proper legal channels.
He also challenged the workers to act responsibly, reminding them that public service demands discipline and respect for the law.
Responsibility starts at home
Arati further called on residents to take charge of the waste they generate in their homes and businesses, saying proper waste management should begin at the source through waste segregation. While the workers play a key role in keeping the county clean, he said, residents should not leave the burden to them alone.
“Waste is not the work of Kazi Mashinani alone. The waste that comes from your house is your waste. You have to be responsible for your waste,” he said.
He accused some critics of being driven by envy rather than genuine concern and urged them to tone down their anger and engage constructively with the programme.
Arati said he would keep supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of Kisii residents and remains committed to the responsibilities he took on as governor.
He asked the new cohort to pledge to conduct themselves well and carry out their work responsibly, saying the programme should benefit both the workers and the wider community.
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