Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – Kenya is deliberately undertaking initiatives to engage the youth and thwart any attempt at radicalisation and extremism which prey on their vulnerability, according to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amina Mohamed.
Speaking Tuesday during a meeting with her Danish counterpart, Martin Lidegaard, on the sidelines of the pre-meetings of this week’s Africa Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mohamed said the government would impart skills to empower the youth socially and economically.
A foreign ministry news dispatch from Addis Ababa said the Foreign Minister cited the National Youth Service (NYS) which targets to train over 20,000 youth every year and prepare them for employment both locally and abroad.
“We have, for example, talked with United Arab Emirates which has promised to give our youth jobs in hospitality sector, transport sector, manufacturing, airlines among others,” said the Minister.
She said priority would be given to those going through NYS and who have been impacted with skills on what to expect in a foreign land and how to develop themselves.
Other initiatives, Mohamed said, include the ‘Uwezo Fund’ which seeks to avail capital to the youth for support in entrepreneurial activities; and the Slum Upgrade Project which provides employment opportunities to the youth.
“The youth are a critical element in ensuring sustainable development in Africa. We should work together to support initiatives that uplift their social economic conditions,”she said. “We must fill the gaps that could be exploited by the extremists to negatively influence them.”
She said cases of violence and extremism would only be addressed in a concerted manner since the challenge remains global.
Terrorist organizations have thrived through recruitment of sections of the society who are marginalised and impoverished. The youth have been very vulnerable to extremist ideology.
Photo: Joe for love
