NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 28 – The Government will support implementation of empowerment programmes targeting boys and youths, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.
Speaking during special prayers at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua welcomed the boy child initiatives spearheaded by his spouse Dorcas Rigathi, the host of Monday’s rededication of the National Prayer Altar.
The dedication prayers were led by renowned Lighthouse Chapel International Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills from Ghana and attended by prominent religious leaders.
The Deputy President said the more than 8 million boys and youths between 10 and 34 years old cannot be left behind by the government.
“I am encouraged that my spouse has identified the boychild as her focus area. The boychild is endangered and we must act so we do not lose a generation. We will identify areas in the programme to which we will support,” Mr Gachagua said.
Under the Office of the Deputy President, Mrs Rigathi has identified four areas she will focus on until 2027. They include the boy child, widows, orphans and people living with disabilities.
Under the boychild programme, Pastor Rigathi seeks to help boys and youth out of drug and substance abuse, alcoholism, mental health, among other challenges. The youth will be taken through rehabilitation before being helped to gain skills under the Technical And Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Under this programme, the programme will reinvigorate the 2.4 million youth who are grouped as economically inactive while about 1.2 million others are seeking jobs.
On the other hand, Mrs Rigathi’s focus on vulnerable groups including 3.6 million
children who are orphans or under no care, widows from 12 million households,
917,000 people living with disabilities among others.
These focus areas under the DP’s spouse are being put into a framework, which will be launched in early 2023
The rededication of the national altar was attended by more than 50religious leaders.
During the meeting, Mr. Gachagua said that President William Ruto is committed to fulfilling a memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Kwanza administration and religious leaders during campaigns ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Election.
He said the government will continue engaging everyone toward inclusive development.He added that President Ruto will start implementing the MoU with the clergy from January 2023. That is after the constitution of the government, including assumption to office of the Permanent secretaries.
While asking religious leaders to support parents in ensuring the youths contribute to the economic development of the country, Mrs. Rigathi invited the clergy to support the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“This government was put in place by prayers; it must be sustained by prayers. We want you to walk with us,” she said.
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