The youths in Machinjoni under Simama Youth Foundation have
together joined hands to help residents of Mlango Nusu slum in Kitale get clean
water.
This comes even as Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, on Saturday,
called on youths to use their influence in the society in helping the
government deal with Coronavirus spread.
The foundation chairperson confirmed that access of water in
the area has been scarce forcing residents to go for longer distance in such of
the basic commodity.
“This is a youth initiative to help residents get water.
Water is scarce in this market and residents have to go long distance to get
this crucial necessity at this point in the country,” said the youth
chairperson Atonya Atonya.
The initiative comes in handy even as the country battles out
the spread of COVID 19 pandemic, which has affected more than 126 people,
killing at least 5 in the country.
The government directed the use of water and soap in cleaning
of hands, as a first step in curbing the spread of coronavirus.
“This initiative was to be a long term project that is being
fully funded by youths and scheduled be ready by mid this year, but with the
turn of events we saw the need to speed up and cut short other projects to
provide water majorly for Mlango Nusu residents and market sellers here to get
water,” added the group coordinator Bwanyenye Bwire.
With support from the county reinforcement officer Eliud
Navimba the project has been going on well and youths have fully supported the
project through the self-help groups and the community-based organization (CBO),
that has kept the project to a success with youths from Machinjoni and Mlango
Nusu.
“The self-help groups and the CBO have been an important
element to the success of this project. We have not sidelined anyone either
from slum or not. We as Simama youth Foundation are one family and that is what
has made this project come into a reality,” said Mr. Atonya.
Masava Phase One coordinator Charles Odero said that, “The
foundation was formed a year ago and its efforts has been fruitful so far.
Apart from educating the youths in Machinjoni to keep off drugs and early
pregnancies. This is one of the most noticeable initiative that the foundation
has done. The youth have been really supportive and even the sensitization
among us youths has really been of help around here.”
Residents will from Saturday enjoy free water marking the
launch of the project, thereafter, a charge of Ksh.5 per 20 liters applied.
Residents lauded the move by youths, saying it will improve
the health standards of the area.
“This is a good
project because many residents here were unable to access water. With water, we
will be able maintain hygiene standards around Machinjoni,” Said Kelvin Kasim a
resident at Machinjoni.
CS Mutahi Kagwe called upon youths to organize themselves
like they do in football clubs, youth groups or business groups to help the
government in enforcing social distance, as an individual responsibility in the
fight against COVID-19.
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