More than 500 youth in Meru town are a happy lot after securing jobs in a road upgrade project.

The youth, mostly from low-income estates around the town and its environs will work at the Japan Social Development Fund project being implemented by Community Road Empowerment (CORE), a non-governmental organisation.

Some of the access roads in estates that were impassable in the past whenever it rained have now undergone a transformation in the first phase of the project.

The youth have worked on the roads using the Japanese 'Do Nou technology'. The number of beneficiaries is set to increase to 1,200.

Betty Karwitha,24, a member of the Achievers youth group said it was her first job since she graduated from a local polytechnic.

“It has created employment for us and at the end of the day, we have something in our pockets. It has improved our lives and helped us to plan for our future," said Karwitha, a diploma in civil engineering holder currently working as a supervisor at the site.

“The project has given me an opportunity to give something back to the community and to apply what I learnt at college,” she said.

At least 20 main access roads that experience human traffic around Meru town and its environs have been earmarked for facelift including Majengo, Mjini, and Gitimbine.

George Kaluma, an engineer at CORE said the project targeted under-served and vulnerable communities.

Meru Urban Planning Chief Officer Muthamia Mbai said the project is among those the county administration is partnering with other players to implement