Dr Ruto’s decision to abolish ‘kazi mtaani’ a move in right direction
The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- This is a good job compared to one you were doing of picking trash. Here you will be paid your money and dues without failure. You will be paid well.
- His message was clear. The stories of diversion of youth funds allocated by the previous administrations would become a thing of the past. Reports indicated that the funds were stolen and ended up lining the pockets of some government officials assigned to manage them.
- The officials easily get away with it because of two reasons. There was no legal framework to deal with the matter. Secondly, there was a growing perception that this was free money. One has not worked for it. So you had no justification to pursue the matter.
When he was at the helm of power, President Mwai Kibaki launched a social security project dubbed ‘Kazi Kwa Vijana’. The Programme had been designed to purportedly address the problem of unemployment among the bulging youth population. But as it turned out, the solution did not lie in these interventions.
As the challenge of unemployment continued, a number of concerns were raised. There was no legal framework to manage the funds allocated and besides it was not enough. The money would also not go to the pockets of those listed as beneficiaries and again, in many cases, a long delay in processing payments. We deserve to be paid because we have already worked. It is our sweat.
But this is what would make the youth so mad. A good number of those recruited surpassed the age bracket of the youth. This would explain the reason of coining the phrase; ‘Kazi Kwa Vijana, Pesa Kwa Wezee’.
Fast-forward to Uhuru Kenyatta presidency, he inherited the same problem. Again, his interventions would not bear much fruit. The programme, now renamed ‘Kazi Mtaani’ faced similar challenges.
We all know that the current President had served the two administrations in top positions of leadership. His star would shine more during the tenure of President Kenyatta where he served as the deputy president for 10 years.
A few days ago, President Ruto announced the decision of his government to abolish ‘Kazi Mtaani’. This was a clear demonstration that he had learnt big lessons. Being a developing country, the Kenya economy could not sustain this programme. So, there was no need of lying to ourselves. A time has come to speak about it in a better way that would not compromise our political support base.
It is worth to note the President spoke during the ground-breaking for the construction of affordable housing project in Kibera.
The issue of youth unemployment did not escape his mind. The youth were upbeat when he stated: This project alone will create 2,500 jobs for you. We are going to roll out similar projects here in Nairobi and in other Kenyan cities. The total number of youth who will be employed stands at 20,000.
This is a good job compared to one you were doing of picking trash. Here you will be paid your money and dues without failure. You will be paid well.
His message was clear. The stories of diversion of youth funds allocated by the previous administrations would become a thing of the past. Reports indicated that the funds were stolen and ended up lining the pockets of some government officials assigned to manage them.
The officials easily get away with it because of two reasons. There was no legal framework to deal with the matter. Secondly, there was a growing perception that this was free money. One has not worked for it. So you had no justification to pursue the matter.
In some areas, the local administrators were actively involved and resorted to instilling fear to those recruited.
They would treat these ‘jobs’ as their entitlements. We gave you these ‘jobs’. Don’t ask us why we have not paid you or the whole amount. Just take what is available. Again, blame yourself. You supported the wrong political horse.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and a political commentator based in Nairobi
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