Cabinet has approved a new national programme aimed at rehabilitating, constructing, and repairing houses for veterans and the elderly, using a Cash-for-Work (CFW) and Food-for-Work (FFW) model.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, during a recent Cabinet briefing. She said the initiative will not only improve living conditions for vulnerable groups but also create employment opportunities for unemployed graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
According to Theofelus, Cabinet has instructed the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to jointly pilot the programme.
She explained that the initiative will be implemented in three main components:
- Cleaning of government premises,
- Support for veterans, and
- Support for the elderly.
The minister added that before the programme officially starts, key preparatory steps will be taken. These include preparing cost estimates for building materials, incorporating the costs into the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and creating a database of unemployed TVET graduates in collaboration with the Association of Unemployed Artisans.
Detailed implementation guidelines will also be developed to ensure transparency and effective management.
Furthermore, Theofelus announced that Cabinet has authorised the Ministry of Finance to make the necessary financial provisions for the programme’s initial phase.
She said the government views this initiative as a dual-impact programme that not only addresses the housing challenges faced by veterans and elderly citizens but also promotes youth empowerment through skills application and community service.
“This programme demonstrates government’s commitment to inclusive development and to ensuring that no one is left behind,” Theofelus said.
The pilot phase of the initiative is expected to set the foundation for broader national rollout once the framework and budgetary provisions are finalised.
I just want to know will government also provide housing to the elderly?. And how will it work. And how will we benefit