This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Hungry Teachers Turn to Kazi Mtaani for Survival ¶
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the economy, many teachers in Kenya have been left without a steady income. In Bondo, a mother of two, Marion Achieng, a teacher at a local private school, has joined the Kazi Mtaani initiative to support her family after her husband lost his job due to the pandemic.
Published on July 18, 2020, the Kazi Mtaani initiative was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta to cushion the unemployed youth against the effects of the pandemic. The program aims to provide temporary employment to young people in various sectors, including manual labor.
According to Acting Bondo Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Michael Too, 60% of those who applied for the program are female youths from different professional backgrounds. Many of these youths have been recruited for manual jobs, including teachers who have been rendered jobless by the pandemic.
Marion Achieng, a 25-year-old teacher, is one of the many who have joined the program. She says that life has been very difficult since her pay was stopped five months ago. 'Life has been very hard because it's a struggle to pay rents and put food on the table if there is no income in the family. It has been a challenge to get treatment in hospital since our NHIF payment is in arrears and we are required to pay cash for treatment,' she disclosed.
David Agot, a teacher in Ramba area, also joined the program after his extended family suffered since he could no longer support them financially. 'I can't choose a job. So long as I can earn a living to keep us going I will do any job,' he stated.
Siaya County Private Schools Association Chairman, Joseph Obonyo, however, sees things differently. He says that while the Kazi Mtaani initiative is helping desperate teachers put food on the table, the situation has forced the teachers to lower their dignity. He also challenged private schools to venture into income-generating activities and invest in ICT programs to survive future calamities.
