This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On a rare opportunity, a 20-year-old lady from Elburgon in Nakuru County, Ann Wanjiru, made a phone call to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday. The call was made possible through the national government's Kazi Mtaani initiative.
Ms. Wanjiru expressed her gratitude to the president for the initiative, which has rescued thousands of youths from joblessness. However, she requested that the president extend the initiative's duration from the set eleven days.
President Uhuru Kenyatta responded, stating that the extension would not be possible for now. He explained that the program was created to allow youths to work and get paid for 11 days, after which the opportunity would be given to other youths, ensuring that the money set aside for the program reaches all enrolled youths.
Ms. Wanjiru was also quick to express her gratitude and wish she was speaking to the president via a video call. President Uhuru Kenyatta responded by saying that he would think about it.
The Kazi Mtaani initiative is set to benefit over 270,000 youths, with a daily wage of Sh. 455. The first phase of the program focused on informal settlements in eight counties.
