Mombasa Reformed Youths Cry For Government Support

By George Otieno

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Some reformed youths from drug abuse and crime in Mombasa have called for government support to start incoming generating projects.

Mombasa Women of Faith Network vice-chair Rev Sylvina Lwembe said this would prevent them from relapsing to their former ways of life.

Speaking during a youth event at Tononoka social hall in Mombasa on August 8, 2025, she added that many youths have changed their ways but were idle, thus, urging the community to embrace them.

“Reforming alone is not enough, we need the government to hold their hands.”

The cleric regretted that most community and NGOs have been left to their own device to source for funding to achieve their goals hence impacting their work.

“Our resources are limited we cannot reach all sections of Mombasa where youths are abusing drugs yet they are desperately crying for our help.”

She urged the community to embrace young people who have reformed from drug abuse and crimes.

On her part, Nyali Subcounty peace and cohesion chair Mwanajuma Suleiman reiterated that young people need social capital and skills to help them create opportunities for their own growth.

She stated that her organization has reformed young criminals who were terrorizing locals with machetes.

According to her inter-faith networking with the community is one aspect for behavioral change among the youths in the county.

“As you can see, they have now become agents of change. They engage in small business after their reintegration into the society,” she stated.

She warned on a new trend of a crime wave hitting Mombasa and its environs perpetrated by pupils and students during school holidays stressing the need for security barazas in the community.

“We have noted that during school holidays, young boys armed with pangas and knives are engaging in crimes, causing fears in their communities.”

Meanwhile, Tononoka officer commanding station (OCS) Biberone Umazi warned youths against being influenced to join gangs.

She noted that her area of jurisdiction has experienced crimes of phone snatching on motorcycle and tuktuks with most offenders being young people.

“Let’s collaborate to end crime in our areas. Without peace, our communities will not function properly. This new wave of crime will be dealt with if we work together since the offenders are known to be your mates,” she said.

Juma Salim, who is one of the reformed individuals at the youth event, demonstrated how it took sheer willpower for him to turn away from using drugs and petty crimes.

“I left drug abuse four years ago when I decided from within myself to change. It was not easy but because it came from my inner will to change, eventually I managed to turn my life around,” he disclosed.