By S, KNA
Changamwe Member of Parliament Omar Mwinyi has appealed to parents and community leaders to keep young people occupied during the long school holiday to prevent them from engaging in crime and drug abuse.
Speaking during the Second Memon Leadership Conference at a Mombasa hotel, Mwinyi noted that idle youths are more likely to fall into destructive behavior or join criminal gangs.
His sentiments follow an incident in Likoni constituency, where a gang of about 30 youths armed with machetes raided a rental house in the Masjid Maulana area of Timbwani. The attackers robbed tenants of household items and forced them to surrender their mobile money passwords.
Mwinyi said the society has a collective duty to protect children from negative influences by keeping them engaged in productive activities.
“Last year in Changamwe, we held a three-week programme that engaged students in computer training and life skills. The youths were happy and gained knowledge that kept them busy. This should be a joint effort involving parents, leaders, religious institutions, and both levels of government,” he said.
Moreover, the MP encouraged communities to organize sports tournaments, music and drama competitions, debates, and religious programs such as Madrassa and Sunday school sessions to help nurture talent and positive values among youth.
Mwinyi also urged parents to take an active role in their children’s development by involving them in family businesses or community initiatives.
“Parents should ensure their children grow into responsible citizens. If a child goes astray, the parent should correct them before security agencies step in. Parents must guide and work with their children to instill discipline,” he stated.
On the politics, Mwinyi called on members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to uphold party unity and focus on strengthening the movement rather than engaging in internal wrangles.
“In Kenya, many political parties emerge during election seasons and fade soon after. ODM has been in existence for 20 years, and we must ensure it remains strong. We need parties built on ideologies that address youth, health, and women’s issues, not tribal interests,” he said.
Mwinyi emphasized that parties should live up to their manifestos and promote policies that reflect their stated principles.
