Leaders from Mombasa County are urging the national and county governments, as well as private sector stakeholders, to prioritise employment opportunities for local youth to curb insecurity.
Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations held at Uwanja wa Mbuzi grounds in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, Kisauni Member of Parliament Rashid Bedzimba, and Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi called for deliberate efforts to address youth unemployment, environmental degradation, and security concerns in the region.
MP Rashid Bedzimba decried the exclusion of local youth from job opportunities in Mombasa, especially in sectors such as hospitality and public service recruitment. “It is unfortunate that despite the many hotels and businesses operating in this city, our youth continue to suffer from unemployment and are increasingly turning to drugs,” he said.
Bedzimba cited a recent Kenya Prisons recruitment exercise conducted in Kisauni, alleging that no local youths were selected.
“I followed up with the Prison Service for a list of successful candidates, but to date, they have failed to provide it. This shows how our youth are being sidelined,” he stated, urging the local administration to engage employers in promoting inclusive hiring.
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi echoed similar sentiments, calling on the government to ensure Mombasa youth benefit from upcoming projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operations in Mvita.
“We will not allow a situation where jobs meant for our youth are taken by individuals from outside the country,” she said.
Senator Miraj further urged the government to appoint qualified professionals to critical positions at key state agencies such as the Kenya Ports Authority, instead of what she termed as “political rejects.”
On security, the senator lauded the County Commissioner and law enforcement agencies for ongoing crackdowns on car robbers and armed criminal gangs, commonly known as “Panga boys,” who have been terrorising residents. She also appealed for improved crowd management at the Likoni Ferry Crossing to prevent potential disasters.
Senator Abdillahi criticised the Mombasa County Government over the cutting down of trees at Uhuru Gardens, terming it a contradiction to the national tree planting campaign aimed at combating climate change. “Such actions should involve public participation as outlined in the Constitution,” she said.
She also raised concerns over the continued withholding of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates by some school principals, despite a presidential directive against the practice.
“Our children are missing out on college and university admissions and scholarship opportunities,” she lamented.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki emphasised the need for sustained government investment in the coastal region, noting that the area has historically been marginalised.
“For 62 years, the Coast region has been left behind, but now that we are part of the broad-based government, we expect more development initiatives in our region,” he said.
Faki called for support to local fishermen through modern fishing tools and training, noting that such empowerment would boost the region’s economy.
He also reiterated concerns over tree cutting and loss of mangrove forests due to urban expansion. “We must preserve what little forest cover we have left, especially the mangroves that are vital to our coastal ecosystem,” he stated.
Senator Faki urged the government to enhance transparency in recruitment processes and involve local communities in development initiatives to ensure inclusive growth and national cohesion.
By Sitati Reagan
