This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
Published on July 11, 2020, the Kazi Mtaani initiative was launched to provide jobs to vulnerable youth in Kenya. However, the program has been plagued by allegations of graft, cronyism, and favoritism.
According to sources, political leaders are using their influence to determine the list of beneficiaries, leaving many eligible youth out of the program. In Huruma, a resident said that despite compiling a list of 560 eligible youth, only 30 were employed.
NGO Haki Yetu conducted an evaluation of the first phase of the project in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale and found that nepotism and bribery were endemic. The organization's report stated that politicians in the area were exercising their influence over the recruitment, denying the youth a fair chance at earning from the government program.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has spoken out against corruption in the program, stating that it would be free of any political influence. However, the government has switched from making cash payments to payment via mobile money transfers to reduce corruption.
Despite the challenges, the government remains committed to the program's success. Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said that the ministry was vigilant and had put in place adequate measures to ensure there was no bribery, nepotism, favoritism, or political influence.
