Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has defended the Sh2 million daily bill set aside for payment of alcoholics in the county.
Speaking on Saturday, Waititu told off critics of the ‘Kaa Sober’ initiative, a program that seeks to rehabilitate alcohol addicts by paying them Sh400 each per day for in exchange for general cleaning and bush clearing services. He dismissed claims that the program was a waste of resources.
Waititu said the more than 5,000 recruits under the initiative will be enrolled for short technical courses including masonry, hairdressing, beauty and carpentry and will graduate by December this year.
“Tell those who are criticising this project that you also have a right to a portion of the government resources available for this county,” he told Kiganjo ward residents yesterday.
“If someone comes to you to criticise this project, ask them if they are in support of this programme that ensures that your stomachs are full.”
“You cannot eat roads or the street lighting poles. Let those criticising this projects stop feeling envious of the Sh400 that you are getting per day as they pocket millions in their accounts,” he told the recruits.
Waititu said the project was a success as some of the addicts have remarried while others have returned to their homes.
“Talk to those among you that do not have wives. Go ahead and make plans for them to marry so that they can live a full life. The life of a man with a wife and that of one without cannot be compared. They are as different as heaven and earth,” Waititu told the recruits.
That is a productive idea…
That is a productive idea Bwana governor. Invest in your people
Then the Alcoholics Go use…
Then the Alcoholics Go use the 400 to go buy Alcohol. Unless someone is Watching them very, very, very Closely.
It is better for the…
It is better for the alcoholics wajisaidie na hizo 400 instead of those who steal millions from the same fund to enrich themselves or bank the money overseas
I agree. But I hope some…
I agree. But I hope some Sober and Able people are NOT cashing in. Like some Able people there in the US cashing in on Food Stammps (but driving nice, Nice cars; and Owning nice, Nice homes).
Sometimes good intention can…
Sometimes good intention can be a bad thing. Free money cannot cure alcoholics; they didn’t become alcoholics due to lack of money. This project, with all its good intentions may be a conduit for abuse of public funds by those dishing it out as well as the recipients. Why don’t we come up with ideas that create jobs and give financial aids to those who can pursue studies and skill training. Why is investing in alcoholics such an attractive option in Kiambu?
@mwororo,iagree with you…
@mwororo,iagree with you.There is nothing in the program that shows treatment.
They are not trying to solve…
They are not trying to solve alcoholism here.
These are typical Kikuyu’s all they see is an opportunity to make money.
Money first everything later, that’s kikuyu’s.
Waititu I see your point in…
Waititu I see your point in doing this. Technically this is not free money cos they are cleaning brush and sweeping hence acquiring some work ethic which is commendable. Waititu says they will go for short courses eventually so they can move on to self employment kudos to that Waititu. We all have started from somewhere and Waititu is doing his best on this. It is rather unfortunate to see some comments above of people who have NOT read this article. Is it illiteracy or ignorance or both?