By Fred Okoth.
The National Youth Council, NYC have now demanded that the government stop plans to distribute the Uwezo fund through the Members of Parliament and instead do it directly though the council.
Speaking in Migori town of Migori County during a meeting attended by members drawn from four counties in the region, the members of the council insisted that the fund will not make the necessary impact if it is distributed using the same channels as the Constituency development Fund, CDF.
“We have seen several programs run by the MP’s fail on the ground and we as youths are against the plan, ”Paul Mugambi, the Eastern region representative said adding that the council had enough structures on the ground to help in the distribution of the fund and there was no reason to ignore them.
At the same time, the council accused the government of ignoring youths when making decisions affecting them saying that was a show of disrespect to the Kenyan youths.
“We see every day key decisions which are meant to benefit the youths being made without youths’ input,” DFO Atimo, the Western region representative said adding that the youths had to be involved on any program which is meant for them.
At the same time, the council also rejected the sharing plan released by the Youth Fund Board for the Sh6 billion youth and women fund on claims that there are major anomalies in the planned disbursements.
And according to the chairman of the NYC Clement Ayungo, it was important that the youths were allowed to handle the distribution of uwezo as part of capacity building and strengthening the council.
“Let the youths get the funds directly and decide how they want to handle it,” he said adding that youths should also be allowed to take loans and pay it back with no interest.
He also called on the raising of the amount youths across the country can qualify for to over 1 million shillings to allow them to start stable businesses which could change their lives.
Uwezo fund is an initiative by the government which will see the 6 billion shillings which was to be used for runoff in the last polls given to youths to strt their own businesses.
At the same time, Ayungo called on the youths from Nyanza province to support government programs aimed at reducing poverty and empowering them economically to ensure that they benefit from the programs.
“Let us realise that these programs have been started for us and we can only benefit if we take part,” he said adding that programs like Uwezo funds will enable youths to start their own businesses by providing them with the necessary capital.
They were speaking during a forum held to discuss the progress of the council as well as opportunities available for youths in the country and which was attended by delegates from Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii and Nyamira counties.
