|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Kasandra Musyimi
MOMBASA, KENYA – In a strategic move to address the rising rates of juvenile delinquency and bridge the professional skills gap, the County Government of Mombasa has officially launched “Career Week.” The three-day event, which kicked off today, February 11th, will run through February 13th, aiming to provide a roadmap for thousands of former high school students and current learners.
The initiative seeks to steer the youth away from crime and toward sustainable economic opportunities by highlighting diverse technical and academic paths.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Governor Francis Thoya emphasized that many young people in the region lack clear career guidance, often pressured by parents into traditional professions like medicine or law without considering their personal strengths or the actual job market.
”This platform allows students to interact, learn from one another, and see the vast opportunities available in vocational training,” said Mr. Thoya. “We are deeply concerned by the trend of children as young as 11 and 12 years old becoming involved in knife-wielding gangs. By opening these doors, we are addressing the root cause of insecurity in our county.”
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Dr. Mbwarali Kame, detailed a series of aggressive interventions commissioned by Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir to support the youth:
- The “Tujiajiri” Program: Currently sponsoring 700 students in various technical and vocational courses across the county.
- Driving Licenses Initiative: Over 5,000 youth have already received driving licenses funded by the Elimu Scheme, enabling them to find immediate work in the transport sector (Matatus, Tuk-tuks, and motorcycles).
- Direct Placement: Collaborating with the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and various universities during this three-day window to provide direct placement advice.
Historic Feeding Program for Secondary Schools
In a bid to improve retention and ease the financial burden on families, the county announced a groundbreaking feeding program for 55 public secondary schools, set to kick off next week.
Dr. Jamal Ali, CEO of the Elimu Scheme, noted that the program targets approximately 32,000 students. “It is heartbreaking to see children sent home at 8:00 AM because they lack school fees or food money. By subsidizing meals, the county aims to reduce annual school costs significantly—potentially bringing a parent’s burden down from KSh 22,000 to as low as KSh 5,000 when combined with NG-CDF support.”
Expanding Vocational Access
The Department of Education and Vocational Training, led by Chief Officer Gloria Mwasi, revealed plans to double the number of Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in the county.
”We currently have three VTCs, but our goal is to have one in every sub-county, increasing that number to six,” Mwasi stated. She also announced the upcoming “Skills Mtaani” (Skills in the Neighborhood) program, which will take technical training directly into villages to reach the most vulnerable youth who cannot afford to travel to urban centers.
The county leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education. Dr. Mbwarali confirmed that the county-funded feeding program already covers special schools in Likoni and Nyali. While acknowledging challenges in enrolling students with disabilities into technical courses, the department is actively seeking ways to make VTCs more accessible to all.
The Career Week initiative is part of the “Serikali Mtaani” (Government at the Grassroots) philosophy, ensuring that administrative services and economic opportunities are accessible to all residents of Mombasa.
