Nyali Youth Empowered to Shun Crime and Drugs

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Security expert and businessman Abdikadir Dekow has started youth empowerment programs in Nyali Subcounty targeting the young people away from crime and substance abuse.

With years of experience in the security sector, Dekow believes that Nyali can become free from drugs and crime if the young people with talent and education are engaged in meaningful and income-generating economic activities.

In a region grappling with high levels of youth unemployment and desperation, he believes efforts should be done through town hall meetings and sports-driven empowerment programs to ignite renewed hope for a better future.

Through addressing such social challenges, the aspirant targets the younger generation to exploit their talents through sports promotion, vocational skills training, and mentorship programs.

“Crime does not pay. What pays is engaging young people in meaningful activities like talent promotion and job creation so that they can become a productive generation, free from drugs.”

His journey can be traced from his grassroots outreach programs across the entire Nyali constituency that have witnessed several meetings with youth from Mkomani; a hotspot for drug use and criminal activities.

“To ensure peace and cohesion, we must bring our young people closer, listen to them, and offer solutions to their problems.”

Through his vision, he intends to construct a state-of-the-art sports complex in Nyali to nurture youth talents as well as plans to push for the formation of a Pool Table Federation of Kenya aimed at professionalising sports and turning it into a viable economic opportunities.

On his focus, is skills development, substance abuse awareness campaign, mental health support, civic engagement, education, and creation of safe spaces for the youth.

Through vocational training, mentorship, and sports, young people are being equipped with the tools they need to lead productive lives and stay away from crime.

Additionally, community centers and rehabilitation services are being proposed to tackle mental health and drug-related challenges head-on.

According to him the importance of a collaborative approach involving community leaders, government, NGOs, and the private sector to build a supportive environment for the youth of Nyali.

Edward Okelo, a youth leader and aspiring candidate for the Mkomani ward seat in the upcoming 2027 elections, echoed these sentiments, stating that young people have clearly expressed their biggest challenge-lack of employment.

“We have listened to the young people of Mkomani; they have told us their problems, which is lack of jobs. I take this matter as a priority,” said Okelo.

He urged young people to reject politicians who instigate violence during elections and instead align with leaders focused on development and empowerment.

“We are asking them not to be used by politicians to cause chaos. To eliminate idleness, we are organizing a pool table tournament to keep them busy-and also to help them earn money from it,” he added.

During the finals of the pool tournament held in the Maweni area on Sunday, hundreds of youth turned up to engage with local leaders and share their concerns. At least 24 young people participated in the tournament, with prizes awarded to the top three winners as a form of economic empowerment.

“Talent pays-whether in sports or any other sector. If you have talent, it should be nurtured so that nobody dies with a skill that could have earned them a living,” said Okelo.

Boaz Oduor, one of the youth participants, encouraged his peers to focus on meaningful activities like sports to improve their lives.

“We lack jobs. Many of us get lost in drugs and crime-not because we want to-but because we have no options. If our local leadership can address these challenges, young people can become productive,” said Oduor.

Naomi Okeyo, a woman leader from Mkomani, expressed concern over the direction the younger generation is heading.

“We have lost a lot of youth to social vices. As parents, we feel discouraged. We are calling for proper leadership that will unhook our sons from these problems,” said Mrs. Okeyo, who was accompanied by other women leaders.

The region hopes that with such community-driven initiatives gaining traction, there is growing optimism that Nyali’s youth will soon find themselves on a better path-one marked by empowerment, purpose, and progress.