Post: Mombasa Leaders Call for Local Youth Employment

Mombasa: 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.According to Kenya News Agency, 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 highlighted the exclusion of local youth from job opportunities in Mombasa, especially in sectors such as hospitality and public service recruitment. He pointed out a Kenya Prisons recruitment exercise in Kisauni, alleging that local youths were not selected, and urged the local administration to engage employers in promoting inclusive hiring.Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi stressed the importance of ensuring Mombasa youth benefit fro m upcoming projects like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operations in Mvita. She also called for the appointment of qualified professionals to roles at key state agencies like the Kenya Ports Authority.On security, Senator Miraj commended law enforcement for their efforts against car robbers and armed gangs, urging improved crowd management at the Likoni Ferry Crossing. She also criticised the Mombasa County Government for cutting down trees at Uhuru Gardens, citing the national tree planting campaign against climate change.Concerns were raised by Senator Abdillahi over the withholding of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates by some school principals, affecting college admissions and scholarships for students.Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki emphasised the need for government investment in the coastal region, which he noted has historically been marginalised. He advocated for support to local fishermen through modern tools and training to boost the region's economy.Senator Faki a lso addressed the issue of tree cutting and loss of mangrove forests due to urban expansion, urging preservation efforts for the coastal ecosystem. He called for transparency in recruitment processes and community involvement in development initiatives to ensure inclusive growth and national cohesion.