A Human Perspective on Youth Empowerment and Transparency in Lamu County
By Collins Muna | Lamu County
The air in Lamu is often filled with the promise of tomorrow. When the news broke that our County Government had distributed welding machines, carpentry tools, and salon equipment to youth groups across Mkomani, Shella, and Hindi, it initially sparked a wave of hope. For any young person struggling to find their footing in our local economy, professional tools represent more than just machinery—they are a lifeline. They offer the ability to pay rent, feed a family, and finally become your own boss.
However, as community members reviewed the distribution lists and photographs on social media and local forums, that spark of hope was met with a sobering reality check. In the digital town square and local gathering spots, the feedback was not a chorus of gratitude, but a wave of pointed questions. People were not just looking at the machines; they were looking closely at the faces in the photographs. Many expressed deep, visceral frustration: ‘These aren’t youths; these are our elders.’ This creates a confusing narrative. When we speak of ‘youth empowerment’ as the cornerstone of our county’s future, we are implicitly referring to the generation currently fighting hardest for jobs—the young men and women in their twenties and thirties.
Voices from the Ground: What the Youth Are Saying
To understand how true empowerment can be achieved, we spoke directly with young residents across the wards. Their interviews reveal practical, grounded suggestions on how empowerment programs should be structured, monitored, and delivered to ensure they reach the right hands:
| Ali (26-year-old welder from Mkomani)“We don’t just want equipment dropped off without context. True empowerment means vetting through local youth groups where everyone knows who is genuinely hustling. If the county works directly with neighborhood youth committees, resources will reach people our age who are struggling to pay daily workshop rent.” |
| Rukia (29-year-old salon entrepreneur from Shella)“Transparency is everything. When distribution happens behind closed doors or favors older elites, it discourages us. We need public verification lists posted at ward offices before distribution day so that the community can confirm the beneficiaries are actual young start-up owners.” |
| Omar (24-year-old carpenter from Hindi)“Tools alone are not enough; training and mentorship must follow. Give us a three-month mentorship program paired with the machinery so we learn how to market our businesses digitally and manage finances properly in Lamu’s competitive market.” |
| Aisha (31-year-old youth group coordinator)“Empowerment should be tracked by impact, not just photo-ops. The county should follow up after six months to see how many jobs a distributed machine has created. Real empowerment creates a ripple effect of employment for other young people.” |
Building a Transparent Future
When the public perceives that vital resources are going to individuals well over 40, the term ‘youth empowerment’ begins to feel like a hollow slogan rather than a strategic investment. This isn’t just about social media comments; it is about restoring trust between citizens and county leaders.
Ismail Bunu(Human Rights Defender)“We all want Governor Timamy’s initiatives to succeed and our local entrepreneurs to flourish. But for that to happen, the bridge between county offices and the streets of our wards must be built with absolute transparency. Empowerment must be a clear, honest dialogue grounded in the reality of our youth’s struggles. Lamu’s future depends on our young generation let’s make sure they are the ones actually holding the keys”.
