BY SHABAN OMAR
More than 90 youth from Bongwe/Gombato ward in Kwale County have successfully completed a three-month intensive training programme focused on trauma healing, stress management, and behavior change.
The initiative, targeting youth from maskanis (informal hangout spots) and those vulnerable to drug abuse and crime, aimed to equip participants with life skills that promote personal well-being, peacebuilding, and social responsibility.
Bongwe/Gombato is among areas in the Kwale county flagged as hotspots for insecurity, youth delinquency, and criminal gangs.
Many young people from the area have in the past been linked to organized crime, terrorism, petty theft, and drug-related offenses, a situation blamed on unemployment, poverty, and lack of positive engagement.
The training was implemented by the Bongwe Youth Network under the Kujenga Amani (Building Peace) project, with support from the European Union.
The project focuses on fostering community resilience by addressing the root causes of violence and equipping young people with tools to navigate psychological challenges.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Social Services, and Talent Management Francisca Kilonzo said the programme had led to a significant shift in the lives of the youth, many of whom were previously entangled in cycles of trauma and insecurity.
“The program has completely transformed the youth. We have heard their testimonies, many have embraced change after undergoing mental health and stress management training,” she said.
Kilonzo noted that until early this year, Bongwe/Gombato had a reputation for being a breeding ground for juvenile gangs and lawlessness.
She attributed the positive transformation in Bongwe/Gombato to the impact of the training programme and other complementary initiatives by both the county and national governments.
She said the area, once associated with lawlessness, is now experiencing change as more youth reject indiscipline and embrace peaceful methods of conflict resolution.
She urged the young people to stay on the path of peace and purposefully leave behind the habits and influences that once held them back.
“You’ve already made the decision to change and don’t allow yourselves to be misused to incite chaos or fuel insecurity in our county,” she said.
Kilonzo said the county government has rolled several empowerment programs for youth to improve their lives.
She said youth are the backbone of the economy and empowering them is the same uplifting the entire community.
Kujenga Amani Project Coordinator Fred Odera said the initiative is being implemented across coastal regions of Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania as part of an effort to promote peace, social cohesion, and youth empowerment in communities affected by insecurity and marginalization.
He said the project focuses on equipping young people with psychosocial support, life skills, and tools for conflict resolution to prevent them from being drawn into violent extremism, drugs, and organized crime.
“The coastal belt has over the years faced unique challenges related to youth radicalization, drug trafficking, and historical injustices,” he said.
The officer said Kujenga Amani seeks to address the vulnerabilities by investing in young people and helping communities build resilience from within.
He added that through collaboration with local organizations, governments, and international partners such as the European Union, the project has been able to roll out community-based interventions that directly respond to the needs of the youth.
Odera noted that in Kwale County alone, the Kujenga Amani project is currently supporting around 15 locally led community-based groups.
He said the initiative not only builds their capacity in trauma healing and peacebuilding but also assists in active resource mobilization to ensure the programme reaches more vulnerable groups and achieves long-term sustainability.
Bongwe Youth Network Executive Director Rama Mwachili said the program was designed to help young people confront and process past traumas, manage stress, and make informed choices that steer them away from crime and substance abuse.
He said they realized that many of the youth are not just idle but are silently battling trauma from broken homes, harassment, or even violence they’ve witnessed or experienced.
Mwachili said the training created a safe space for healing and transformation.
He said the sessions covered topics such as mental health awareness, conflict resolution, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the effects of drug and substance abuse.
Mwachili said participants were also taken through peer mentorship and community service activities to foster unity and responsibility.
He said the graduates are expected to form part of community peace ambassadors in Bongwe/Gombato and surrounding areas.
One of the participants, Mwanajuma Mwatwenye said the programme helped her overcome anger issues, life stress and find purpose.
According to her, she used to feel confused, lost and frustrated, but now she has learned how to deal with her emotions.
“The trauma healing session helped a lot at a young age, I went through some difficulties that completely destroyed my mental health,” she said.
Another youth Hamisi Matano said he is now planning to start mentoring colleagues in his neighborhood after seeing the benefits of the program.
