President William Ruto has relaunched Kenya’s Kazi Mtaani initiative under a new name—Climate Worx—with a dual focus on youth employment and environmental conservation. The program, which began in Nairobi in September 2024, is now expanding nationwide, targeting over 110,000 youth initially and scaling up to 200,000 jobs.
From Kazi Mtaani to Climate Worx: What’s New?
The original Kazi Mtaani, launched in 2020 under President Uhuru Kenyatta, provided short-term jobs in waste management and infrastructure. The new Climate Worx rebrand aligns with Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and climate action goals, including:
🌱 15 Billion Trees Initiative
🏗️ Affordable Housing Projects
🔄 Waste Management & Riparian Restoration
Key Changes:
✔ Green jobs in tree planting, waste recycling, and urban greening.
✔ Higher wages (KSh 500/day for workers, KSh 550/day for supervisors).
✔ Skills training in climate-resilient trades.
How Climate Worx Works: Jobs, Pay & Shifts
1. Job Categories
| Workstream | Activities |
|---|---|
| Roads & Infrastructure | Road maintenance, highway greening |
| Environment | Tree planting, waste management, drainage unclogging |
| Housing & Urban Dev | Affordable housing, Jua Kali material production |
2. Work Schedule & Payment
- 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off (flexible shifts).
- Biweekly pay: KSh 7,000 (workers), KSh 7,700 (supervisors).
- Mobile money payments (M-Pesa).
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
✅ Age: 18-35 years (extended for persons with disabilities).
✅ Kenyan ID (Maisha Card accepted).
✅ Residency: Priority to locals in informal settlements.
✅ No criminal record.
✅ Mobile money account (for payments).
Exclusions:
❌ Beneficiaries of other gov’t programs (e.g., Inua Jamii).
How to Apply for Climate Worx
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
🔗 CRSP Portal (Climate Resilience Service Program)
Step 2: Register & Submit Documents
- ID details
- Residence proof
- Education/Skill level (if applicable)
Step 3: Await Placement
- Successful applicants receive SMS notifications.
Beyond Wages: Skills & Future Opportunities
Climate Worx isn’t just a short-term job—it’s a skills gateway to:
🔹 Green entrepreneurship (e.g., nursery businesses).
🔹 Construction careers (via housing projects).
🔹 Formal employment (through experience).
Linked Programs:
- NYOTA Initiative (KSh 20B World Bank-funded training & grants).
- Hustler Fund (Seed capital up to KSh 50,000).
Challenges & Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Delayed payments | Mobile money transparency |
| Political bias | Merit-based recruitment |
| Logistics gaps | County-level oversight |
Conclusion: A Win for Youth & Environment?
Climate Worx could be a game-changer if:
✅ Payments are timely.
✅ Recruitment is fair.
✅ Skills translate to long-term jobs.
With 200,000+ green jobs planned, this program could reduce unemployment while fighting climate change—a true double win for Kenya.
Key Resources
📌 Climate Worx Application Portal
📌 NYS Careers
📌 Hustler Fund
