Government to buy school desks worth 1.9 billion shillings.

The Kenyan government has embarked on an ambitious plan to buy school desks worth Ksh 1.9 billion. The president launched the project on 17th September 2020. The school desks will be locally assembled generating jobs for the Jua Kali sector who will be required to provide 650,000 desks.

The program is part of Government’s post-Covid-19 economic stimulus program. It’s aimed at serving several purposes. Not only will it provide school desks, it will also provide jobs to the local industry. There is need for extra desks in schools when schools reopen. This will ensure social distancing in a bid to curb the spread of covid-19. Unemployment is at an all time high with many Kenyans laid off because of the pandemic. This project will bring a much needed revenue to the pockets of hungry Kenyan workforce.

The success of Kenya Mtaani Initiative was a driving factor in conceiving this project. During the launch, President Kenyatta said, “After Kazi Mtaani program, we have said instead of school desks being made by big companies, we give our youth the opportunity to exercise their skills. We believe in individuals earning from their sweat and hence we decided to give our skilled youth the opportunity to earn decent livelihoods”

The president distanced himself with the frenzy political climate in Kenya and instead focused on developing the country. “I don’t want to engage in empty politics of name calling. Rather, I am working hard to ensure all Kenyans work and enjoy the fruits of their labour,” he said.

The project which will be rolled out countrywide is aimed to benefit the youths. The president called on the youths to strap their boots and use this opportunity to earn an honest living. “We want to ensure all our youth with skills are engaged so as to benefit from their sweat. This program is not for Nairobi alone but for all Kenyans who are skilled and are working in the jua kali sector,” he said.