BY SHABAN OMAR
Youth from various maskanis in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County, are calling for greater recognition and inclusion in employment and empowerment programs.
Frustrated by years of neglect, the youth argue that their exclusion has led to a rise in social unrest and economic struggles.
Led by Hamisi Njama, the youth decried the stereotype that paints them as idle or lost.
Njama said that many maskani members possess valuable skills in areas such as carpentry, mechanics, music, and entrepreneurship, yet they 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,” he said.
He spoke during youth maskani dialogue organized by Nahugombe Community Based Organisation in Majoreni, Lunga-Lunga sub-county.
Njama said if the maskani youth are given the right opportunities they can contribute positively to society rather than being dismissed as a burden.
He further lamented that whenever employment or empowerment programs arise, local leaders and parents unfairly label them as “Muguka people” a derogatory reference implying they are addicts and delinquents.
Njama said that such negative branding discourages young people from actively seeking opportunities.
“It is such a pity that when these chances come, instead of supporting us, they write us off as Muguka people,” he said.
Njama said parents, too, are failing them because the moment they see their children making small mistakes, instead of guiding them, they disown them, which only pushes them further into hardship.
According to Njama, the sense of neglect often drives young people to substance abuse and crime as they seek belonging and survival.
Omar Salim Zani called on leaders, parents, and the community at large to embrace and mentor the youth rather than alienate them.
Zani said that most young people do not choose to spend their time in maskanis but are forced into these spaces due to unemployment and the stigma they face from society.
“The community misjudges us without understanding the struggles we go through. Many of us are left frustrated and hopeless because of a lack of job opportunities,” said Zani.
He added that some youth turn to drugs not out of desire but as a temporary escape from the harsh reality of joblessness, which weighs on them daily.
Zani said that rather than giving them demeaning nicknames, the youth need assistance and empowerment to uplift their lives.
Adam Mtsumi also faulted parents for sidelining their children, saying that some parents sell off family wealth without involving their children, leaving them with nothing.
“There are parents who would rather sell their property and enjoy the proceeds alone, without considering their children’s future,” said Mtsumi.
He warned that the trend has fueled tension in families, forcing some youth to retaliate by forcefully inheriting their parents’ wealth.
He said that parents have a responsibility to ensure their children lead successful lives rather than subjecting them to stress and uncertainty.
“When young people feel abandoned and deprived of their rightful inheritance, some are left with no choice but to retaliate, leading to family conflicts,” he added.
Hassan Tambwe also defended maskani youth, stating that while there have been cases where some have been used to cause mayhem, the majority are peaceful and law-abiding.
He said maskani youth are some of the most peaceful people, but they are often pushed to the wall.
Tambwe said that maskanis are not just social gathering spaces but also platforms where both young and older individuals interact.
He said in most cases, elders in these spaces advise the youth on the importance of maintaining peace and making responsible choices.
Tambwe said maskanis also serve as important centers of information, where young people learn about opportunities, share ideas, and discuss issues affecting their communities.
