BY SHABAN OMAR
Over 90 young people from Bongwe/Gombato Ward in Kwale County have completed a rigorous three-month training programme designed to address trauma, manage stress, and encourage positive behavioural change.
The programme targeted youth from maskanis (informal street corners) and others at risk of falling into drug use and criminal activity. It aimed to impart essential life skills that foster personal growth, community peace, and responsible citizenship.
Bongwe/Gombato is among the regions in Kwale that have been identified as hotspots for insecurity and youth involvement in gangs and crime.
In recent years, numerous youths from the area have been linked to terrorism, petty offences, drug abuse, and organised crime, issues often attributed to unemployment, poverty, and lack of productive engagement.
The training was conducted by the Bongwe Youth Network through their project Nuru Initiative under the Kujenga Amani Pamoja, with financial and technical support from the European Union.
The project is committed to building community resilience by tackling the underlying causes of violence and empowering young people with tools to cope with psychological challenges.
At the graduation event, Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Social Services, and Talent Management, Francisca Kilonzo, hailed the initiative for inspiring a mindset shift among local youth who previously felt trapped in cycles of trauma and insecurity.
Count Executive for Social Services Francisca Kilonzo speaks to youth during a graduation ceremony at Bongwe Social Hall in Msambweni, Kwale County in August 2025.
“This programme has brought real change. We’ve listened to their stories—many of these young men and women have chosen a new path after learning how to manage their emotions and mental well-being,” said Kilonzo.
She recalled that Bongwe/Gombato had long been seen as a hub for youth gangs and disorder, but noted that the trend is now reversing.
Kilonzo credited the shift to both the Kujenga Amani project and ongoing county and national government interventions aimed at restoring hope among the youth.
She further urge the youth to stay committed to peace and avoid being lured into activities that endanger their future and the safety of others.
She also emphasized the county government’s efforts in launching several youth-focused empowerment programmes, adding that investing in the youth is key to uplifting society as a whole.
Kujenga Amani Project Coordinator,Fred Odera said the programme is also active in coastal areas of Mozambique and Tanzania, and aims to promote stability, social cohesion, and youth inclusion in historically marginalized and insecure communities.
Kujenga Amani Project Coordinator,Fred Odera speaks in an interview at Bongwe/Gombato in Kwale County in August 2025.
“The coastal region continues to face complex challenges like radicalization, drug networks, and unresolved historical grievances,” said Odera.
He said Kujenga Amani seeks to reduce these risks by equipping young people with psychosocial support, conflict resolution skills, and alternatives to violence and criminal lifestyles.
Odera explained that the initiative works hand-in-hand with grassroots organisations, local governments, and international donors to roll out community-led solutions that directly respond to the needs of the youth.
In Kwale alone, the project is supporting around 15 youth-led groups focused on peacebuilding, mental health, and community mobilisation.
Executive Director of Bongwe Youth Network Rama Mwachili said the programme was crafted to help young people confront their inner pain, recover from emotional wounds, and take control of their decisions.
“Many of these youth are not just idle or rebellious, some are carrying deep pain from family issues, harassment, or exposure to violence,” he said.
Executive Director of Bongwe Youth Network Rama Mwachili addresses youth at Bongwe/Gombato Social Hall in Kwale County in August 2025.
Mwachili said the training offered a safe and supportive space for healing and transformation. Sessions covered mental health education, communication, emotional intelligence, conflict mediation, and the effects of drugs and substance abuse.
He added that participants were also involved in mentorship and community outreach to instill responsibility and teamwork.
The graduates, Mwachili said, are now expected to act as peace champions in Bongwe/Gombato and surrounding neighbourhoods.
One participant, Mwanajuma Mwatwenye, said the sessions helped her manage anger and find direction in life.
“I used to feel hopeless and overwhelmed. But the healing sessions helped me make sense of my emotions and rebuild my self-worth,” she shared.
Another graduate, Hamisi Matano, said he intends to begin mentoring other youth in his area after experiencing the positive impact of the training.
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