The government will employ 3,500 youths to help the National Youth Service upgrade slums in Nairobi, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Uhuru said the income generating programmes will be extended to all counties to keep youths from engaging in unlawful activities.
He was speaking during the launch of Mukuru kwa Njenga, Korogocho and Mathare slum upgrade programmes on Tuesday.
He addressed crowds at Kwa Njenga primary school, Korogocho and Kiboro grounds.
The youths will participate in clean-ups, road construction, street lighting, the construction of medical clinics and police posts.
“As a Government, we are committed to ensuring equitable development in informal settlements and all other parts of the country,” he said.
Uhuru asked cabinet secretaries to take their mandate to improve the lives of Kenyans seriously.
“You deliver or quit,” he said.
He regretted that the informal settlements in which 75 per cent the urban population lives lack social amenities that every Kenyan is entitled to.
“It is an unfortunate fact that in the past, development has been skewed in favour of areas where the rich live. My Government is addressing the situation,” he said.
“Kenyans exercised their democratic rights by voting for leaders of their choice in the last elections. But we now need to rise above party politics and work together to deliver quality service.”
Uhuru added that his administration will demolish all unapproved structures starting on Wednesday.
He said their contractors and developers risk prosecution.
Devolution CS Anne Waiguru said enough resources have been deployed for the projects.
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero promised to work with the government on development and other matters of national interest.
In attendance were cabinet secretaries Hassan Wario, James Macharia, Michael Kamau, Charity Ngilu, Judy Wakhungu and Felix Koskei.
- the-star.co.ke
