President Ruto Promises 20,000 Jobs as Youth in Korogocho Respond with Boos
Key takeaways
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- President William Ruto on Thursday extended his tour of government projects in Nairobi with a visit to Nairobi’s Korogocho slums.
- Standing at the bank of the heavily polluted Nairobi River, the president announced a grand plan to clean up and revitalize the river.
- In a project dubbed Climate WorX Mtaani initiative, the president announced that 20,000 youths will be enlisted for the job.
- His announcement was, however, received with palpable hostility as youth booed and heckled at the pledge.
Nairobi River: A National Embarrassment
Nairobi River has over the years emerged as a symbol of environmental neglect and urban decay in Kenya’s capital.
Once a vital waterway, it is now heavily polluted and heavily burdened by industrial and domestic waste.
The river is often choked with garbage, including plastics, raw sewage, and hazardous chemicals, making it a serious health hazard for local communities.
The stench from the polluted river never goes unnoticed, with its surface always covered with layers of filth.
Past efforts to rehabilitate the river have proved futile as it remains the ultimate conveyor belt of the city’s dirt and debris.
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Inside Ruto’s plan to rescue Nairobi River
The president has begun fulfilling one of his ambitious promises to clean up the Nairobi River and restore its natural beauty.
Speaking at the bank of the heavily polluted river, the president said that cleaning the waterway will lead to better public health, increased business opportunities, and a safer environment for residents.
Ruto also interacted with residents of the Korogocho area along the Nairobi River. Addressing the crowd, the head of state pledged over 20,000 jobs for the youth to assist in the river’s clean-up.
“Nyinyi Vijana, tutawaajiri vijana elfu ishirini! Vijana elfu ishirini tutawapatia kazi katika hii mpango wa kusafisha mto wetu wa Nairobi,” said the president to an excited crowd.
Ruto also addressed concerns of job favoritism in government, saying that the jobs will be awarded impartially without the need for connections.
The government has again deployed technology in recruitment, with the president urging deserving youth to apply for the opportunities via crsp.go.ke.
However, Ruto’s pledge was met with a cold reception as some of the youth heckled him, shouting that they lacked the phones needed to apply for the jobs.
“Hatuna Simu!” the crowd shouted as the president struggled to project his voice over the agitated youth.
The youth chants have been widely attributed to a string of unfulfilled promises by the president and government officials.
President Ruto has also faced accusations of making inaccurate public statements, with his most recent claim being that he had no information about individuals who were abducted in recent protests.
