This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
On a typical morning in Bondo Town, Marion Achieng, a 25-year-old private school teacher, prepares breakfast for her family before leaving for a day of manual labor. The COVID-19 pandemic has left her and many of her colleagues without a steady income.
As part of the Kazi Mtaani initiative, Achieng has joined over 500 youths in Bondo Sub County to work on manual jobs. The program, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May, aims to cushion the unemployed youth against the effects of the pandemic.
According to Acting Bondo Deputy County Commissioner Michael Too, 60% of those who applied for the program are female youths from different professional backgrounds, including teaching.
For Achieng, the program has come as a relief. 'This initiative by the government has come as a blessing to me and my family,' she said. 'I will be able to buy food and pay some bills at least for the next six months as we wait for schools to reopen.'
However, not everyone is pleased with the program. Siaya county private schools association chairman Joseph Obonyo believes that the government could have done more to support private school teachers. 'The situation has forced the teachers to lower their dignity,' he said.
Obonyo also criticized the government for not responding to the National Private schools' association's request for a Ksh 7 billion grant to help cushion private schools and their staff.
Despite the challenges, Achieng remains hopeful that the program will help her and her family get back on their feet.
