In another sign of the dire state of unemployment in the country, over 600,000 Kenyans registered for Kazi Mtaani over the weekend.
The government started recruitment for the third phase of the program on Friday, taking applications on its online portal.
In just the first 12 hours, 181,000 Kenyans had successfully logged in and registered. This was despite technical challenges brought about by congestion. Most people were locked out prompting the PS Housing and Urban Development to tweet, “Update: The Kazi Mtaani Registration website is experiencing high traffic. The issue is being addressed to allow the high number of youth in interested in registering to access.”
Some applicants were also disappointed to find names of their sub-counties missing from the menu, meaning they could not apply.
By Sunday evening, a total of 626,620 had successfully registered.
Nairobi led the counties with 113,653 registrations, followed by Kiambu with 44,689, then Nakuru with 33,305 and Mombasa with 32,548.
Update on KM registration as @ 4pm, total 626,620. Top 5; 1.Nairobi 113,653; 2.Kiambu 44,689; 3.Nakuru with 33,305. 4.Mombasa 32,548; 4.Wajir 22,280 and 5.Uasin Gichu 19,020. For those with no access to internet, you’ll get an opportunity to register @ Huduma Centre soon. pic.twitter.com/0UGxvVXTv4
— Charles Hinga Mwaura; CBS, CA (SA) (@PSCharlesHinga) November 21, 2021
The PS has said that those with no access to the internet can register at a Huduma Centre near them.
This third phase of Kazi Mtaani will run until June 2022, across 900 informal settlements.
The PS has been keen to clarify that the program is not a first come first served basis, an assumption that likely led to the high web traffic. Kenyans will be able to apply over the next two weeks.
Kindly note this is not a 1st come 1st serve and registration is open for the next 2 weeks. Everyone will register. Also note there are many conmen asking you to pay, don’t pay anyone to register, it’s free of charge.
— Charles Hinga Mwaura; CBS, CA (SA) (@PSCharlesHinga) November 19, 2021
