The government of Kenya is set to employ thousands of youth through the Climate Resilience Service Program. Launched yesterday, the CRSP program is a replicate of the Kazi Mtaani started by the former president, Uhuru Kenyata.
Ruto dissolved Kazi Mtaani after assuming the office in 2022, a decision that affected many youths across the country. Following massive protests triggered by the anti-finance bill 2024, his administration announced its comeback to address the growing unemployment rates.
The Climate Resilience Service Program seeks to absorb youths who are willing to work in the construction sector and hygiene maintenance across different counties.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Aden Duale, presided over the launch. In attendance were notable state officials drawn from different dockets.
Principle Secretaries: Festus Ng’eno (Environment & Climate Change), Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry), Raymond Omollo (Internal Security & National Administration), and Nixon Korir of Lands & Physical Planning were among those present.
Duale announced that over 13,000 youths in Nairobi alone will be involved cleaning rivers and planting trees across different wards. The government plans to plant over 15 billion trees in Kenya by 2032 to address the issue of the greenhouse gas effect under the Climate WorX Mtaani Initiative.
“This program aims to engage over 13,00 youth in Nairobi County in climate action by cleaning up the Nairobi, Ngong, and Mathare Rivers, addressing environmental and public health concerns,” he said.
“In line with the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme, waste management, roads, improve sanitation (informal settlements), landscaping of riparian corridor and ecosystem restoration. This workforce will also support tree planting efforts to strengthen climate resilience in Nairobi,” said Aden Duale.
Youths are now urged to apply for the initiative opportunity through the CRSP website. According to the information on the website, a national selection panel will be formed to review the applications, and those qualified will be notified through SMS.
