Government Launch Jumuiya ya Kaunti for Coast Youths

By Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

It is a great pleasure to join you at this historic occasion marking the official inauguration of the Jumuiya ya Vijana wa Pwani (JVP).

Allow me first to congratulate the leadership and members of JVP for the vision, courage, and organization demonstrated in bringing together young people from across the Coast Region under one structured and inclusive platform.

This is not a small achievement. It reflects maturity, foresight, and a deep commitment to the future of our region and our country.

Kenya’s future depends largely on how we invest in our youth — not just financially, but intellectually, creatively, and structurally.

The Coast region, in particular, holds enormous, untapped potential in science, innovation, research, technology, the blue economy, agribusiness, and the creative sector.

As the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, our mandate is to create an enabling environment where young people can turn ideas into solutions, research into impact, and innovation into sustainable livelihoods.

Through the agencies under the state department, we ensure that bold ideas are not left on shelves but nurtured into market-ready solutions; to ensure that research is not just knowledge, but knowledge that powers enterprise; and to ensure that innovation is not the privilege of a few, but an opportunity for all.

Ladies and gentlemen

The government has deliberately developed policies and put in place incentives to encourage the youth and women to take part in national development.

The setting up of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) by the government to tackle youth unemployment by boosting skills, creating jobs, and fostering savings through programs like apprenticeships and business supportis one such example.

I am therefore encouraged to see JVP positioning itself not only as a leadership platform, but also as a bridge between grassroots youth and national development initiatives like NYOTA.

The formation of the JVP Youth Assembly, County Youth Governors, and their Deputies, Youth MPs, and Ward Youth MCAs is a powerful statement: That young people are ready to engage responsibly, constructively, and strategically in governance and development.

Such organization is exactly what we need if we are to:

• Strengthen youth participation in policymaking

• Promote research-driven solutions at the community level

• Foster innovation hubs and incubation ecosystems

• Encourage collaboration between government, academia, private sector, and youth-led initiatives.

This is historical, it reminds me when we launched the economic block – Jumuiya ya County za Pwani back in 2014 at the Swahili beach. I see hope in JVP as the copilot the coast region to prosperity. I would encourage other parts of the country to emulate coast region and show leadership.

His Excellency, President Ruto is on the trajectory of taking Kenya to 1st world status. I believe, with focus and investment in Science and technology and in our youth it is possible.

We must harness the opportunities at coast region – including blue economy. Investment in emerging technology for value addition in agricultural produce, exploration of rare earth minerals etc.

I encourage JVP to deliberately integrate science, research, and innovation into its programmes — not as abstract concepts, but as practical tools to solve real challenges facing our communities.

The government has put in place several frameworks and opportunities to support you:

• Research and innovation funding mechanisms

• Technology and innovation hubs

• University–industry collaborations

• Support for start-ups and creative enterprises

But opportunities only benefit those who are organized, informed, and proactive.

JVP provides you with that structure, as a state department we pledge our support in such initiatives and would not hesitate to partner with you where our common goals converge.

Let your leadership translate into ideas that create jobs, improve livelihoods, and transform communities.

As you assume your various leadership roles today, I urge you to remember that leadership is service. Serve with integrity; Serve with discipline; Serve with humility.

Let JVP be known not just for numbers, but for impact, innovation, and ethical leadership. In closing, I commend the founders and leadership of Jumuiya ya Vijana wa Pwani for taking this bold step.

You have demonstrated that when young people are given space, structure, and trust, they can rise to the occasion.

I wish JVP every success as you embark on this journey, and I look forward to seeing the Coast region emerge as a hub of youth-driven innovation and excellence in socioeconomic and political agenda.

It is now my honour to officially to launch the Jumuiya ya Vijana wa Pwani. Thank you, and may God bless you all.

Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak is Principal Secretary Science, Research and Innovation