Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho has dismissed claims that funds meant for the ‘Kazi Mtaani’ program were being diverted to political campaigns.
This comes after leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto alleged that the government was underpaying youths hired under the program and using the money to fund Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s campaigns.
Kibicho stated that the Sh450 paid per day to the youths engaged under the program is the amount that has been budgeted for and that has been paid to recipients since its launch in 2020.
He challenged Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders led by Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua to substantiate their claims that MPs budgeted at least Sh1,000 in daily allowance to each youth engaged in the program.
“I would want them to produce the Hansard report confirming their argument that indeed, MPs legislated the amount they claim. This should be fairly easy to prove as the National Assembly is a House of records,” said Kibicho.
Kibicho, who spoke on Tuesday, pointed out that the 530,608 youths who have been enlisted under the program have been receiving the same amount since its launch.
He also trashed allegations that the program was being used to lure young voters into supporting Odinga, saying that its rollout was decentralized and that recruitment was undertaken at the grassroots across the country.
“How is it possible to know which youth is allied to which politician as a condition to getting these jobs? These recruitments are being undertaken at the lowest level of administration by chiefs and their assistants who are best placed to know the most deserving for the available slots,” Kibicho added.
State sponsored project!!!
State sponsored project!!!