The Government intension toward helping women through Kazi mtaani is good, but do women from targeted settlement real Benefit from the program? I have evaluating the research done by Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub regarding kazi mtaani worthness .
Introduction:
Kazi Mtaani was launched in April 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis. The goal was to support unemployed youth living in informal settlements across Kenya. While the program wasn’t created just for women, many women, especially those in low-income areas, ended up being among the key beneficiaries. The research done by the Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub at the University of Nairobi looked closely at how this program played a role in supporting women economically during that time.
Economic Cushion During Crisis
Women in informal settlements were hit hard by COVID-19. Most of them were running small businesses or working in informal jobs like house cleaning, food vending, or casual labor. Lockdowns, restrictions, and rising costs made their situations worse. Many lost their incomes and couldn’t afford basic needs like food and rent.
Kazi Mtaani helped fill that gap. It paid Sh455 per day directly to workers through M-Pesa. Supervisors were paid Sh505. These daily payments may not sound like much, but to many women, especially those with no other income, they made a difference. The program gave them a way to earn honestly without depending on handouts or unsafe jobs.
In fact, most of the women who received the money used it for basic needs. According to the report, 86.2% used the income for food, while 54.9% paid rent. Others used it for school fees, medical expenses, clothing, and even small farming activities. This shows that the money wasn’t wasted, it went straight to needs that affect daily survival.
A Break from Financial Dependence
One major struggle for women in poor communities is financial dependence. Some depend on spouses, relatives, or handouts to survive. Kazi Mtaani gave them an income they controlled. This not only helped them meet basic needs, but also gave them dignity and decision making power over how to spend what they earned.
In some cases, the program went even further. A few women used their savings from Kazi Mtaani to start small businesses. For example, one woman mentioned in the report said she used to wash clothes for a living. After joining the program, she managed to start a daycare business. That shift from casual jobs to owning something stable is a huge step in economic empowerment.
Community Support and Social Bonds
Women in informal areas don’t just need money. They need networks, people they can trust and rely on. Kazi Mtaani created those kinds of networks. The teams worked together, helped each other, and in many cases, supported fellow members during hard times. One story from the report tells how when a worker got sick and needed surgery, the other Kazi Mtaani youth contributed money and even donated blood to help her.
That sense of care and unity matters. It creates support systems for women who often carry a double burden—managing homes and struggling to earn. These community ties can become long-term support networks, beyond the life of the program.
Missed Opportunities and Gaps
Despite the positives, the program had its negativity. Some women with disabilities were left out. Since most of the work involved manual labour, like cleaning, digging, or clearing drains, those who couldn’t perform physically demanding tasks were abandoned. The program didn’t offer alternative roles for people with special needs, even though these women are often among the most vulnerable.
There were also complaints about favoritism. Some applicants felt that unless they were known to the local leaders, they had no chance of being selected. That kind of gatekeeping hurts women more because they are already underrepresented and often lack strong connections to local power structures.
The report also mentions that very few women were given leadership positions. If the aim is real empowerment, then women should be placed in roles where they can manage teams and influence how work is done, not just follow instructions. Without that, they remain stuck in low level tasks, even when they have the skills to do more.
What Needs to Change
The research made it clear: if Kazi Mtaani or similar programs continue in the future, the design must be more inclusive. That means:
Expanding the types of work available so women (especially those with physical limitations or childcare duties) can participate fully.
Making recruitment fairer, with clear guidelines that don’t depend on connections.
Including women in decision-making roles, not just labour.
Providing training in financial literacy, savings, or small business to help women use their earnings for longer-term growth.
Ensuring that protective gear and safe working conditions are provided equally.
What i can say is the program gave many women in informal settlements a real chance to get back on their feet during a difficult time. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked as a short-term safety net and income source. The fact that some women used it to move from hand-to-mouth survival to starting small businesses or paying school fees is proof that even a small, steady income can make a big difference.
What’s needed now is better planning, more fairness, and more options, especially for women who are often the backbone of low-income communities. If the gaps are fixed, this kind of program could shift from a crisis response to a real tool for lasting economic improvement.
