The fight against violent extremism, drug abuse and teenage pregnancies in Magarini sub-county is taking a new twist after more than 300 youth came together and formed a Community Based Organisation - Sabaki View Talents Youth, to discourage the societal ills by promoting youth talents.
The youth meet every evening in pursuit to fulfill their dreams by practicing on various talents that they believe have been hidden for long such as Taekwondo, Karate, and dancing.
The idea, coined by Franklin Kiti, came about after the youth collectively realised they had been abandoned by the area leaders in issues relating to youth empowerment.
Speaking in Sabaki, Kiti said that Sabaki View Talents Youth is a youth empowerment initiative by the youth themselves that is meant to engage youth who are ever idle despite being talented, hence reviving talents, reducing the societal crime rate, drug abuse and early pregnancies among young girls.
"Before we recruited all these young boys and girls to this group, some were drug addicts while others were criminals due to lack of effective ways of dealing with day-to-day idleness, stress, and depression. Some even believe they have been bewitched by their parents thereby believing killing their parents is the way,” he said.
Kiti said that efforts made by the group have started bearing fruits, adding that the Taekwondo and Karate teams are ready to participate in any competition in the country.
Maureen Mwende Mwasya, a former drug, and teenage pregnancy victim said that the group helped her refrain from sexual activities and drugs after losing her parents and dropped out of school.
According to Kiti, however, the CBO is facing a number of drawbacks ranging from financial hurdles to inadequate sponsorship, unemployment being the root for all.
“We were so disappointed when our Karate group failed to participate in the August national competitions despite qualifying for we could not raise the funds required for registration and transportation,” said Kiti.