‘13,000 Nairobi youth to get jobs in cleaning rivers’ – CS Duale

Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced plans to engage 13,000 youth from Nairobi to clean rivers.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Duale indicated that his ministry plans to engage the youth under the Climate WorX Mtaani initiative.

According to the CS, cleaning the Nairobi, Ngong, and Mathari Rivers are among the priority areas.

“This programme aims to engage over 13,000 youth in Nairobi County in climate action by cleaning up the Nairobi, Ngong, and Mathari Rivers, addressing environmental and public health concerns,” Duale’s statement read in part.

Other duties

The 13,000 youth drawn from Nairobi will also be required to support the government in planting trees in various parts of the city, Duale announced. They will also be assigned landscaping duties in an effort to beautify the city.

“(This is) in line with the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme, waste management, roads, improving sanitation (informal settlements), landscaping of riparian corridors, and ecosystem restoration. This workforce will also support tree planting efforts to strengthen climate resilience in Nairobi,” Duale’s statement added.

However, Duale did not reveal the exact date the exercise will start, the criteria that would be used to bring on board the 13,000 youth from Nairobi, or the terms of engagement.

Duale made the announcement in a meeting that was attended by Principal Secretaries Charles Hinga (Housing) and Raymond Omollo (Interior).

Kazi Mtaani conversion

On November 11, 2022, President William Ruto announced that the Kazi Mtaani Programme will be converted into a tree-planting initiative.

He said the move will help address the adverse effects of the climate change that Kenya is facing.

“We have to initiate long-term resilience activities to cushion the people against drought and food insecurity,” he said.

During his Kisumu County development tour, the president hinted at reviving the Kazi Mtaani programme in a months time, following requests from the locals.