Mombasa county blue economy executive Ibrahim
“Babangida” Khamis, former TSC director Mohammed Mwinyipembe, and Mombasa
senator Mohamed Faki at the Bomu Stadium on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO
Elders from the Wachangamwe community have raised concerns over rising cases of divorce among young couples.
They link the trend to a lack of mentorship and weakening traditional guidance structures.
Led by Wachangamwe Community Association chair Athman Fahamun, the elders said many young people are entering marriage without proper counselling or preparation, resulting in unions that struggle to last.
Fahamun said the challenge is twofold, noting that elders are increasingly unavailable to guide the youth, while many young people are unwilling to seek or accept mentorship.
“These are some of the challenges that we as a community face. That is why we have brought everyone together here so we can discuss and try to find solutions,” he said during an Eid Baraza held at Bomu Stadium in Changamwe.
The Changamwe are among the nine indigenous sub-tribes of the Swahili community in Mombasa, particularly in Changamwe subcounty.
They are also advocating for formal recognition as a marginalised minority group, alongside other sub-tribes such as the Jomvu, Tangana, Kilindini and Mvita.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, who hails from the community, said substance abuse among young people, including muguka and khat, was also contributing to strained marriages.
He said many couples now enter marriage without guidance, unlike in the past when elders played a central role in preparing them for married life.
“Marriage is a lifetime commitment. Getting into it without proper advice or guidance means the challenges involved in the institution eventually overwhelm them, and they seek the easier way out, which is divorce,” he said.
Faki added that expectations in marriage often differ between partners and, without compromise, many unions break down.
He cited figures from the Kadhi’s Court in Mombasa, which indicate that an average of three marriages are registered per week, against about 10 divorces over the same period.
The senator also lamented what he described as the erosion of traditional mentorship structures, saying many elders today are either unavailable or unable to effectively guide the younger generation.
Fahamun further pointed to low levels of education among some youths as a contributing factor, saying many drop out at Class 8 or Form 4 and miss out on skills needed for formal employment.
He said despite these challenges, opportunities still exist that could be harnessed to improve livelihoods and strengthen the community’s future.
