President Ruto abolishes Kazi Mtaani programme, says it's 'outdated'

President William Ruto has abolished the popular Kazi Mtaani programme in urban areas across the country.

The president gave the directive on Tuesday, saying that his government was exploring better and current employment programmes.

Speaking during the launching of the Affordable Housing Programme in Kibra, Nairobi, the head of state said the Kazi Mtaani programme was outdated noting that the new initiative would create more jobs for the youths while transforming the settlement schemes.

“We want to make this programme a reality and every Kenyan to own a decent home wherever they are in the Republic of Kenya,” President Ruto said.

“Najua mmeniambia mnataka kazi mtaani, sikizeni, mambo ya kazi mtaani ni mambo ya zamani. Ile kazi ya kuokota takataka tuachane na hiyo, sasa kazi itakuwa hii. Hakuna kazi mtaani tena, kazi ni hii ya kujenga nyumba. Wale watu wa kwanza wataajiriwa kwa hii kazi ni watu wa hapa Langata na watu wa Kibra.”

The head of state explained that the Kazi Mtaani project started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime had low income and limited opportunities for the youth compared to his Housing proposal, which would upscale the number of youths.

“Tutapanga nafasi ya ajira ya kutosha bila kutumia vijana wetu kwenda kuokota takataka; kazi ya kuokota takataka ni ya Governor Sakaja, aokote, apeleke mahali inapelekwa,” he stated.

 “Wakati tunapanga hii kazi, si kwa sababu tunahitaji nyumba pekee yake, tunapanga kwa sababu pia inatupatia nafasi ya ajira. During this project, we will have opportunities for 2500 youths from this area. Mlikuwa mnaajiriwa watu 500 kwa Ward totalling to 2500. The 2500 people will assist in building the houses...Tukianzisha Soweto C na Soweto D hao ni watu 5000.”

Consequently, the commander-in-chief reassured Kibra residents that they would be given the first priority in the oncoming project further stating that he had directed governors to plan for similar initiatives across all urban towns in the country.

“Na sio hapa pekee yake, tutaanzisha ujenzi wa nyumba katika kila constituency hapa Nairobi. Pale Makongeni mahali tunajenga nyumba karibu 25,000, tutahitaji vijana Zaidi ya 20,000 watusaidie kwa hio kazi,” he noted.

“I have already requested all governors in other cities countrywide to plan for the land where we will undertake the Affordable Housing because we want to change the face of every town in Kenya.”