Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya has called on county governments to review their County Action Plans on gender-based violence and violent extremism.
Thoya said many of these action plans were formulated five to 10 years ago, and may no longer adequately address the evolving needs of today’s youth and communities.
“It is time to reflect deeply and revisit these plans. Our youth today need a voice and attention, and we must design programmes that respond to their current realities,” said Thoya.
They assured the public that the Mombasa government would allocate more resources to support youth through various programmes to counter violent extremism and radicalisation.
Among these initiatives is ‘Mombasa Yangu’ in its fifth phase, which provides over 6,000 youths with a monthly stipend of Ksh15,000.
“We have seen a slight reduction in crime rates, by 10 to 20 per cent, in Kisauni and Likoni due to mentorship programmes,” Thoya said.
He spoke on the sidelines of the official launch of USAID’s Sauti Yako, Amani Yako, and Elevate Voice Yake Programmes at Sarova Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa.
The Sauti Yako, Amani Yako programme aims to strengthen community resilience against violent extremism. The Elevate Voice Yake seeks to amplify the voices and aspirations of adolescent girls and women, ensuring they can lead lives free from sexual and gender-based violence.
Themed “Empower, Educate, Elevate; Creating Safe Communities for All,” the programmes will be implemented across the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Garissa in northern Kenya.
USAID Kenya Mission Director David Gosney emphasized the organisation’s commitment to protecting all Kenyans from SGBV and ensuring their voices are heard.
He said the US government has allocated one billion shillings over three years to fund these initiatives. This will create safe spaces and opportunities for communities.
“We have partnered with county governments, civil society, and local communities to provide safe spaces, economic and educational opportunities, and access to critical services,” Gosney said.
He also highlighted a programme to train 77 primary school teachers.
Additionally, USAID has provided vocational training to 3,000 students nationwide and plans to expand this sponsorship.
Gosney praised county governments for offering internship programmes to youth and revealed that USAID is facilitating the “Young African Leaders Initiative,” a mentorship programme that has benefitted 1,800 Kenyan youths.
He said the ongoing USAID healthcare initiative, the Dreams Programme, involves 28,000 participants, primarily women.
Kilifi County Deputy Governor Flora Chibule expressed her commitment to providing resources that promote youth sustainability, including job opportunities, incentives, and vocational training to equip young people with skills for fulfilling lives.
“We are ready to support USAID and other stakeholders to ensure these programs become game-changers in our counties, with a particular focus on the vulnerable girl child,” she said.
Angelina Cikanda, a gender-based violence expert and head of the Elevate Voice Yake programme, affirmed the collaboration with county governments to combat SGBV.
“We will take various approaches to address SGBV, and we urge the community to speak up and take action to move people from abuse to living dignified lives,” she said.