Various heads of departments in the national and county governments have been incorporated into a committee that will oversee and coordinate implementation of the Climate workx programme within Murang’a County.
The committee will be headed by the county commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, as deputy county commissioners will oversee daily activities under the programme in their respective sub-counties.
The Climate Workx programme, which will be implemented by the State Departments of Roads and Housing, is tailor-made to address youth unemployment while promoting environmental resilience.
Nkanatha, speaking during the inaugural meeting held in his office on Wednesday, said Murang’a County has been allocated 1,442 workers and 49 supervisors.
He noted only youth aged between 18 and 35 years are earmarked to benefit from the programme, which will run for six months.
“The programme has been initiated by the government to address youth unemployment. Those interested will be required to apply on a mobile App which will be launched soon.
The workers, he added, will be assigned manual and semi-skilled roles in the fields of environmental conservation, community infrastructure maintenance and national awareness.
“The initiative targets to support road repairs and clearing bushes along roads, propagating tree seedlings, planting trees and maintaining cleanliness in our trading centres and towns,” said the Commissioner.
Members of the committee agreed to divide the given number according to constituencies where Mathioya, Kigumo, Kangema, and Kandara will each get 200 slots; Gatanga will get 206; and both Maragua and Kiharu will each get 218 workers.
The commissioner called upon DCCs and ACCs to publicise the programme in their public barazas so as to ensure many young people apply for the works.
“Your support is greatly needed so as to ensure this programme is successful. Reports on what has been done should be done on a daily basis and the workers need to be closely monitored to ensure their output is as required,” added Nkanatha.
On her part, the County Director of Housing, Ms Laureen Wasungu, said 30 per cent of the available slots will be reserved for persons living with disabilities.
“Applicants with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration. Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure an inclusive and enabling work environment,” she remarked.
Wasungu added that strict 50:50 gender balance will be observed, adding that only one person per household will be eligible for recruitment so as to ensure fair distribution of opportunities.
The recruitment process will be village-based and youth will be deployed within their localities to ensure ease of supervision and reduction of transport needs and associated costs.
Each worker is expected to earn Sh500 per day and Sh580 for those at the supervisory level. The wages will be paid after the end of a shift of two weeks.
By Bernard Munyao
