President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched the National Youth Service empowerment programme for the youth in Mombasa.
The programme will target more than 1,000 youth and will seek to change the lives of the youth in the county who are mostly affected by drug abuse.
President Kenyatta said the NYS programme and other projects which will be launched by the government are aimed at boosting the county’s economy.
The President who was speaking at Fort Jesus on Tuesday said the NYS programme will provide the youth with an opportunity to empower themselves economically.
“The projects the government will launch in Mombasa are aimed at creating opportunities for people to have a source of livelihood.”
“The government is also planning to buy fishing boats for the youth groups and provide cold storage facilities at the port,” he added.
The NYS project will engage the youth in cleaning up the old town, open up drainage systems and build police posts and health clinics.
The youth empowerment project was also kicked off in Kisauni Constituency and will soon be launched in other areas at the Coast.
Governor Hassan Joho said through the rehabilitation of roads, government facilities like shopping centres, the youth will be making a better contribution to their communities.
“The youth should be busy with initiatives that will benefit them instead of being idle as most of them indulge in immorality, criminal activities and drug abuse,” he said.