The newly inaugurated Mombasa Youth Council has pledged to remain politically independent while spearheading youth voter registration and tackling drug abuse in the county.
The launch and swearing-in ceremony was held at Swahili Pot Hub and presided over by Mombasa Tononoka Children’s Court Senior Resident Magistrate Hon Rita Orora.
The council operates under four key thematic areas: youth leadership and policy advocacy, education, arts and innovation, health and social well-being, and climate and environmental action.
Speaking during the launch, MYC Speaker Ali Kubo emphasized that the council will not align with any political party but will instead represent citizens from the grassroot level.
The council unveiled an ambitious plan to partner with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to conduct mobile voter registration drives across all 30 wards in Mombasa County.
“We will ensure that IEBC closes their offices and goes to the grassroots with us, where we will sensitise our fellow youth for free. That will be our first agenda, ensuring that MYC registers as many youth, women and men as possible,” Kubo said.
The speaker announced that the council plans to introduce a motion in its parliament to address the growing concern over Muguka consumption among youth. “Many of our fellow youth are suffering from the effects of drugs, but it is sad that we see Muguka being treated as a light matter. The reality is our fellow youth are getting lost from the use of drugs.
“Kubo stated, adding that the council will propose a ban on the stimulant while simultaneously pursuing employment opportunities for young people.
The council also expressed readiness to collaborate with the county executive to address youth unemployment.
Kubo called on other counties to establish similar youth governance structures, suggesting this could prevent future demonstrations.
MYC President Antigoals Ray reiterated that the council is not a political movement but a platform for uniting Mombasa youth around community development.
“We are not here to fight each other but to bring the youth of Mombasa together for one agenda, and that is for the community,” Ray said.
He noted that the council has conducted public participation forums across different wards through their youth Members of County Assembly, where unemployment emerged as a recurring challenge.
“We were in Mkomani Ward and the youth were crying that we are reforming but we do not have jobs. The more we try to reform, the more idle we become and we end up falling back to those groups,” the president explained.
Ray issued a warning against any attempts to use the council as a political campaigning platform.
“MYC is not driven by any political party. We are going to support the government because the government exists, but let us not use Mombasa Youth Council as a political field for campaigners,” he stated.
Deputy President Khadija Jilo emphasized the council’s commitment to inclusive youth governance.
“When young people are excluded from decision-making spaces, policies are made without us, programmes are designed for us but not with us, and communities lose out on the creativity, energy and life experience of young people. We are here to change that narrative,” she said.
Jilo explained that the council was founded on the principle that communities thrive when young people are meaningfully engaged.
“Mombasa Youth Council does not exist for young people. It exists with young people. Inclusion is not an afterthought for us, it is a core value,” the deputy president noted.
She thanked partners, mentors and supporters for their backing while inviting all young people to engage with the platform.
“This is your space, this is your platform, this is your invitation to step into leadership, to engage in governance processes and to shape the communities you want to live in,” Jilo said.
By Sitati Reagan
