The youth in Gatundu North sub-county in Kiambu County has been cautioned against engaging in illegal activities.
Speaking from her office in Kamwangi on Tuesday, the newly posted youth officer in the area Geraldine Waithera Muiruri called on the youth to instead focus on development.
Muiruri said that the young people have a lot of productive activities to engage in and getting involved in criminal activities should not be an option.
"Youths are talented in various fields; we also have youths who have wonderful ideas which if implemented can improve the livelihood of the community around them. Unemployment is in no way a reason to engage in crimes," she said.
The officer indicated that although lack of employment is the major reason leading the young people to crime, such activities should be shunned.
She called on youth leaders in the county to partner and develop a cordial working relationship with the youth noting that there is need for both the national and the county government to deal with unemployment.
Mwangangi urged both the county and national government to initiate projects that will absorb the youth.
"I pledge to fast-track projects and policies that will create more job opportunities to the unemployed youths in my respective region to not only foster their growth but help them become employers," she promised.