The Climate Resilience Service Program (CRSP), commonly referred to as Climate WorX Mtaani, which was launched by President William Ruto in September. Officially began on Tuesday.
This youth employment initiative aims to bolster Kenya’s climate resilience while offering job opportunities in critical infrastructure, environmental restoration, and housing projects.
The programme began in Nairobi with the recruitment of 20,000 workers whose first assignment is the rehabilitation of Nairobi River. It will then be extended to the other 46 counties with the aim of employing 200,000 people.
Why Climate WorX Mtaani Was Started
The CRSP was developed in response to the economic contraction the country has experienced over the past two years, significantly affecting low-income earners, especially those in informal settlements.
With a majority of the population reliant on daily wages, the program seeks to create employment opportunities while simultaneously addressing urban challenges such as infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, and poor housing conditions.
The core aim of Climate WorX Mtaani is to provide short-term jobs to 200,000 youths across all 47 counties while focusing on projects that promote climate resilience.
This includes labor-intensive public works that are beneficial to the environment and help improve the livelihoods of Kenyans through training and eventual transition into more stable employment or entrepreneurship.
How Climate WorX Mtaani Will Operate
The program will be implemented across various sectors: roads and infrastructure, environment, and housing and urban development.
Each of these workstreams offers participants hands-on experience in vital projects, such as road construction, tree planting, riparian area rehabilitation, and waste management.
Workstreams and Activities:
- Roads and Infrastructure: Activities include the construction and greening of highways, road maintenance, and beautification efforts, with workers tasked with landscaping and maintaining clean roadways.
- Environment: This sector focuses on tree-growing initiatives, including seedling preparation, nursery development, and stewardship to combat deforestation and promote urban greening.
- Housing and Urban Development: Workers will participate in rural housing construction, utilizing Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSBs), and engage in solid waste management projects that aim to promote sustainable waste disposal practices in urban areas.
Each worker will be assigned to a cluster and follow a two-week alternating shift schedule, working two weeks and then taking two weeks off. This rotational approach ensures that more participants benefit from the program within the allocated funding.
Amount of Money Workers Will Earn
Workers participating in the Climate WorX Mtaani program will earn a daily wage of KES 500, while youth supervisors will take home KES 550 per day.
Given that the program follows a fortnight shift system, participants are expected to receive their payments via mobile money at the end of each two-week work period. This equates to KES 7,000 for workers and KES 7,700 for supervisors per two-week shift.
The payment structure is designed to maximize the reach of the program, allowing more youth to benefit from employment opportunities while still receiving fair compensation. Payments will be made promptly at the end of each shift through M-Pesa.
How to Apply for Climate WorX Mtaani Jobs
Interested applicants can register online through the CRSP portal, which has been set up to streamline the registration process.
For now, registration for the Nairobi cohort has already closed as indicated on the website and work began.
However, the initiative will soon be rolled out to other counties. Here’s how to apply;
- Visit the CRSP Application Portal
Begin by visiting the official CRSP portal to start your application process. You will be prompted to provide your personal details, including:
-Full name
-Gender
-Phone number
-Date of birth
- Submit National Identification
In the next step, you must enter your valid National Identity Card (ID) Number or, if applicable, your Maisha Number.
- Provide Location Information
After submitting your ID, you will be required to input details regarding your county and area of residence. This ensures proper allocation of applicants to relevant local projects.
- Submit Education and Skill Level
Finally, fill in your educational background and current skill level. This information helps determine your suitability for the various roles within the Climate WorX Mtaani initiative.
Requirements for Application
To be eligible for the Climate WorX Mtaani program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
-Be a Kenyan citizen aged between 18 and 35 (with some exceptions for vulnerable women and persons living with disabilities).
-Possess a valid National ID.
-Own a Safaricom line registered in their name with M-Pesa activated for payment purposes.
-Must not be currently benefitting from any government cash transfer program
-Applicants will need to ensure their mobile number matches the details on their National ID for payment verification. The selection process will prioritize transparency, with county-level committees overseeing the final approval of applicants.
Benefits Beyond Employment
While the immediate benefit of the Climate WorX Mtaani program is employment and financial stability for youth, the long-term impact goes beyond daily wages. Participants will receive life skills and core skills training during the off weeks.
These sessions are designed to prepare them for future opportunities in employment or entrepreneurship. Training will cover areas such as teamwork, communication, financial literacy, and personal responsibility, ensuring that participants leave the program better equipped for the job market.
Moreover, the program encourages participants to leverage their earnings and skills for personal development, with many previous beneficiaries from similar government initiatives using their income to start businesses, fund their education, or support their families.
By Nairobi