The proposal to pay jobless youths a monthly hardship allowance of KShs. 3000 has been received with mixed reactions from Kenyans on social media.
The amendment which is being sponsored by MPs-Caleb Amisi (Saboti) and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili) also seeks to award both graduates and diploma holders absorbed as interns a monthly stipend of Kshs. 5000. The main reason being to cushion the youth and the unemployed against the harsh economic times.
But is it worth sustaining to the youths languishing in abject poverty?
This question has been raised with some of the youths doing a break down on how Ksh.3000 can be used. In the urban areas, let’s say Nairobi, the money if well utilized can only be used by a bachelor to buy food and fare. Rent will be another nightmare.
“3000/- by 30 days means 100/- per day to help us with fare, food, rent ???” One social media user retorted.
3000/- by 30 days means 100/- per day to help us with fare, food, rent ???
— Hoop (@shili120) July 24, 2019
Although the idea seems like a blessing some youths have read malice. If it becomes a law that all employers taking interns should pay them Ksh.5,000, then some companies and institution will most likely reduce the number of interns in order to save on the cost of allowances.
Many institutions including government will reduce the number of interns they engage or cease having them altogether! Most of the times, students and fresh graduates just need the experience to enhance their employability.
— Jesse Kihoro (@JesseKihoro) July 24, 2019
If that happens, companies won’t take in interns
— MUINDI SHADY (@muindi_shady) July 24, 2019
How sure is the government that the money will not end up in people’s pockets?
Many social media users have asked this tough question bearing in mind that corruption has infiltrated all government institutions and is running dry everything in the state.
Its a great idea… But iyo doh hope itatufikia youth mtaani but not to the cartels of public money. pic.twitter.com/Oz5gfMyC58
— Too.Troy (@troy_too) July 24, 2019
I support this move and I hope the funds will get to the jobless youths and not people’s pockets!!
— Kkhaluhi (@BilhaKate) July 24, 2019
Mr Amisi’s legislative proposal also seeks to amend section 22 of the Principal Act to make provision for the Cabinet Secretary to gazette hardship allowance.
While Barasa’s proposal is estimated to cost taxpayer’s Sh 26.5 billion if each of the country’s 110,604 interns are to be absorbed at an average Sh 20,000 monthly stipend.