A section of youth takes photo with Nahugombe CBO officials at Aleni village in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County in March 2025.
BY SHABAN OMAR
Youth from various maskanis in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County, are calling for greater recognition and inclusion in employment and empowerment programs, saying years of neglect have pushed them into economic struggles and social unrest.
Led by Hamisi Njama, the youth rejected the negative stereotype that paints them as idle and unproductive, arguing that they possess valuable skills in carpentry, mechanics, music, and entrepreneurship, yet remain overlooked in government and community-led initiatives.
“We have talents, we have skills, but people see us as a problem instead of part of the solution,” Njama said during a youth maskani dialogue organized by Nahugombe Community-Based Organisation in Majoreni, Lunga-Lunga Sub- County.
Hamisi Abdallah Njama speaks in an interview at Majoreni in Kwale County in March 2025.
Njama said that given the right opportunities, maskani youth could contribute positively to society instead of being dismissed as a burden.
He also decried the tendency of local leaders and parents to unfairly brand them as “Muguka people,” a derogatory term implying delinquency and substance abuse.
“It is unfortunate that whenever opportunities arise, instead of supporting us, society labels us as Muguka addicts and writes us off,” he lamented.
He further criticized parents for failing to guide their children, saying that many disown their sons and daughters over minor mistakes instead of mentoring them, pushing them further into hardship.
Omar Salim Zani echoed Njama’s concerns, urging leaders, parents, and the community to embrace and mentor the youth rather than alienate them.
“The community misjudges us without understanding the struggles we face. Many of us feel frustrated and hopeless because of a lack of job opportunities,” said Zani.
He noted that some youth turn to drugs not out of choice but as an escape from the burden of unemployment and societal rejection.
“Instead of giving us demeaning nicknames, what we need is assistance and empowerment to uplift our lives,” he said.
Adam Mtsumi also faulted parents for sidelining their children, noting that some sell off family wealth without involving their children, leaving them destitute.
“There are parents who would rather sell their property and enjoy the proceeds alone, without considering their children’s future,” she said.
Mtsumi warned that such actions fuel tension in families, sometimes forcing youth to retaliate through forceful inheritance.
He added that when young people feel abandoned and deprived of their rightful inheritance, some are left with no choice but to fight back, leading to family conflicts.
A section of youth attends a maskani peace dialogue at Majoreni in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County in March 2025.
Hassan Tambwe defended maskani youth, arguing that while a few individuals may have been used to cause mayhem, the majority are peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
He said maskanis are not just social gathering spaces; they are platforms where both young and older individuals interact,” he said. “Elders in these spaces often advise the youth on the importance of maintaining peace and making responsible choices.”
Tambwe said that the maskanis serves as centers of information, where young people learn about job opportunities, share ideas, and discuss pressing community issues.
He further called for inclusive policies that recognize their potential and provide meaningful opportunities for growth and contribution to society.
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