Kenya's President Ruto started new river cleanup work yesterday. He plans to hire 18,000 more young people from Nairobi for this next step. These new workers will widen the Nairobi River and build sewers running 54 kilometers along both sides. Local folks call this big cleanup effort the Nairobi River engineering works.
About 22,000 young people have already worked on the first part of this project, which began last September. Their job focuses on picking up trash and fixing blocked drains along the full 95-kilometer stretch between Ngong and Mathare. Ruto explained that Nairobi must shine because it acts as both the capital city and home base for many United Nations programs. Clean rivers show visitors that Kenya cares about its environment.
The National Youth Service will buy 50 special trucks just for river tasks. Military personnel from Kenya Defence Forces will help with heavy lifting and tough jobs. Ruto also promised to build 54,000 houses for families who lost homes during recent floods. He told workers they would see higher pay soon and never face late paychecks.
Regular workers make 500 shillings each day they show up, and team leaders earn 550 shillings daily. Everyone works two weeks straight and then stays home for two weeks before coming back. Workers receive money through their phones right after finishing each two-week work period. Margaret Wanjiru, who leads the Rivers Commission, asked leaders to make sure they hire people who actually live nearby.
About 22,000 young people have already worked on the first part of this project, which began last September. Their job focuses on picking up trash and fixing blocked drains along the full 95-kilometer stretch between Ngong and Mathare. Ruto explained that Nairobi must shine because it acts as both the capital city and home base for many United Nations programs. Clean rivers show visitors that Kenya cares about its environment.
The National Youth Service will buy 50 special trucks just for river tasks. Military personnel from Kenya Defence Forces will help with heavy lifting and tough jobs. Ruto also promised to build 54,000 houses for families who lost homes during recent floods. He told workers they would see higher pay soon and never face late paychecks.
Regular workers make 500 shillings each day they show up, and team leaders earn 550 shillings daily. Everyone works two weeks straight and then stays home for two weeks before coming back. Workers receive money through their phones right after finishing each two-week work period. Margaret Wanjiru, who leads the Rivers Commission, asked leaders to make sure they hire people who actually live nearby.
