Kiambu county Governor Ferdinand Watitu has now awarded over 5,000 reformed alcoholics through his Kaa sober programme KSh 100 million for them to start up income generating activities.
Each of the rehabilitated individuals received KSh 20,000 from the county boss as a token to help them pick up their lives.
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu addresses the reformed alcoholics during the ceremony in Nduberi.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony for the former drunkards which was held in Nduberi, the county chief said the programme had been successful.
“To me, this programme has been successful with a score of over 90% because nowadays if you visit any town in Kiambu you wont see any drunkards around,” said Waititu.
Through collaboration with polytechnics, the alcoholics were rehabilitated and taken through a three-months training on technical courses to empower them.
“Today I am happy to announce that I have achieved that through helping over 6,500 individuals acquire skills in different fields ranging from masonry, plumbing, catering, motor vehicle repair and tailoring among others,” he added.
Others have been drawing KSh 400 a daily wage from the county coffers for doing manual jobs within the devolved unit. The county chief further said his administration was going to launch a Jijenge Fund which would benefit more youths in the county.