Over 800 youths from Nyandarua county have absconded their Kazi Mtaani duties forcing officials to hire again.

Ol Kalau County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo told the Kenya News Agency that it was regrettable for the youths to drop out of the program which was meant to reduce unemployment and cushion people against Covid-19 effects.

“We will be seeking reasons why they have opted out, but we are working with the number that is reporting as we wait for authority to replace them,” said Leparmorijo noting that 3, 963 youths had been engaged in the programme.

He said an eighth of the 200 youths deployed for Gilgil-Nyahururu railway clearance did not report to work despite online records showing they did.

County Director for Housing, Mr. David Kingori said most of the youths had been paid and only a few with details’ discrepancy were yet to be paid.

“The workers now have to commute to their places of work and there is a challenge in ferrying them to where their services are needed, considering that a substantial amount of work has been completed within their hometowns,” added Kingori.

Besides employment, the youths received trainings on accessing government tenders, affirmative funds and other trainings.

A beneficiary, Catherine Kemunto said most youths did not take the Kazi Mtaani initiative seriously.