Leaders from Lamu county have launched sporting events to keep the youth from drug abuse and criminal activities.
Lamu East MP Ruweida Obbo said sports is a powerful tool for social change and combatting insecurity in the region.
She said it will help the youth develop their talents and compete professionally in future.
Obbo organised the area's first ever football tournament funded by the Lamu East National Government Constituencies Development Fund.
The tournament falls under the talent mashinani programme.
She said the programme will bring coaches and scouts to recruit promising players for higher-level competitions and clubs.
“The football tournaments aim to harness the talents of our youth and provide them with the opportunity for personal and economic growth,” she said.
Obbo said lack of recreational facilities and sporting events has seen many youth abuse drugs.
She urged the county government and other non-governmental organisations to help find a lasting solution to drug abuse and insecurity in the area.
“Our goal is to divert their focus from criminal activities, promote unity and to help them play in regional and national levels," Obbo said.
In the past, the subcounty witnessed cases of insecurity that saw youth from different villages engage in bloody and deadly clashes.
Zain Omar, a football official from Lamu East constituency praised the Talent Mashinani initiative saying it has uncovered hidden talents.
“With continued efforts, more youth will secure opportunities to play for prominent teams like Bandari FC and even represent us in the national team,” he said.
Lamu East Football Kenya Federation secretary Said Mohamed said the tournament brought talent scouts in Lamu for the first time.
"We aim to bring harmony in villages that have for years witnessed chaos. We hope that this will help locals coexist peacefully," he said.
The tournament was held at Chundwa Primary School in Pate Island.
Victorious Chundwa FC were awarded a cash prize of Sh200,000 while Siu FC and Kiunga FC were given Sh100,000 and Sh50,000.
