By Reporter
About 35 youth groups from Lamu County have been equipped with start-up kits to foster entrepreneurship, resilience, and peacebuilding initiatives.
This is as a result of a project by International Organization for Migration (IOM) through her implementing Partner HURIA, in partnership with the Government of Kenya and funded by the Government of Japan project.
Lamu County Chief Officer Public Service Management Khadija Fumo expressed profound gratitude to IOM and its partners for their unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and peacebuilding.
“This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by our youth and border communities. By empowering our young people with skills and resources, we are not only building their capacity to thrive economically but also fostering social cohesion and resilience against insecurity,” She said.
The start-up kits distributed included complete sets for various income-generating activities such as car wash services, eateries, bee-keeping, carpentry, tailoring, and entertainment and barber shops as well as salon items.
The kits were designed based on a comprehensive market needs assessment conducted in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera Counties, ensuring the initiatives align with local economic opportunities.
The project, titled “Strengthening Capacity of Government of Kenya and Resilience of Vulnerable Border Communities to Enhance Peace and Security Along Kenyan Eastern Borders,” aims to address the root causes of insecurity by providing sustainable livelihoods for at-risk youth.
By equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and tools, the initiative seeks to reduce vulnerability to extremist ideologies and other human security threats prevalent in border areas.
Deputy Chief of Mission at IOM Kenya Faisal Sharif emphasized the importance of youth empowerment in achieving durable peace.
Deputy Director of the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) Col. Yahya Abdilkadir Mohamed said that the initiative is important in countering extremism.
Lamu Deputy Governor Designate Dr Mbarak Bahjaj called for an all-inclusive approach to deal with radicalization including streamlining and strengthening madrassa institutions to curb the wrong perceptive component.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude, vowing to utilize the resources to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities’ development.
By providing vulnerable youth with opportunities to thrive, the initiative not only strengthens their resilience but also enhances social cohesion, ultimately contributing to peace and security along Kenya’s eastern borders.
As the County Government of Lamu and its partners continue to work hand in hand, the success of this initiative serves as a model for similar efforts across the region, paving the way for a brighter, more secure future for all.
