Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Obo has issued a direct challenge to parents, urging them to take charge of their children’s education to combat a surge in youth crime and violent panga attacks linked to school dropouts.
Speaking in Pate today following a public baraza in which bursaries were also issued to Pate Island residents, the area MP took issue with the increase in crime and violent panga cases among youths whom she noted a large number being those who dropped out of school early.
“Crime and violence is quickly becoming the norm among our young people, many of whom have dropped out of school and begun taking drugs instead of completing their studies and becoming self-sufficient for the benefit of their respective communities,” the legislator said.
She further called on parents to take advantage of the NG-CDF bursary funds available to them and ensure that they take up forms and apply for the bursaries, for which she said that no student in her constituency would be denied.
“Even within the county, immediately after completing form four, youths need to take up courses such as electrical, plumbing, tailoring and even fabrication which can ensure that they are self sufficient and thus prevent them from indulging in a life of crime,” she said.
Captain Ruweida Obo noted that it is the responsibility of all parents and guardians in Pate Island to ensure that their children are on the straight and narrow and refrain from walking with Pangas, which she lamented has sadly become the norm among a section of youth in that part of the archipelago.
“It is increasingly becoming hard for security agents to know who is genuinely carrying a panga for farming or for crime, and it is therefore important to note that parents need to set their children straight with regards to guiding them against carrying pangas,” the Lamu East MP noted.
Sentiments echoed by Ustadh Ahmed Mohammed who further urged parents and guardians to desist from allowing their children to drop out of school early especially with the opportunities available to Lamu youths with bursaries and TVET learning being available to them.
“There should be no child whether it is a boy or girl dropping out of school due to lack of school fees being that bursaries are being offered fairly among all students living in Lamu East,” the muslim cleric said.
On his part Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner Philip Muoki called on youths to refrain from engaging in crime, given the opportunities that will be available to them especially with the coming of the Lamu Port.
“In a few years young people who will have picked themselves up and taken the opportunities available to them to learn employable skills will benefit immensely from the Blue Economy jobs that will be available to them,” the senior public administration official noted.
