Youth in Kipevu, Changamwe queue to vote. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
Youth in Kipevu, Changamwe on Tuesday held polls to elect leaders who will represent them in various development matters in the county.The main objective of the polls was to get active leaders who will champion development and ensure youth get funds to start their businesses.Addressing the youth after Salim Hussein Kombo was elected their president; Kipevu Ward representative Faith Mwende Boniface said youth need adequate representation.She said most leaders have created a gap between themselves and the youth, arguing that the youth are usually demanding handouts from them.“It is true youth demand handouts from leaders but politicians are to blame for this. Why don’t we empower youth and ensure they overcome economic hardships?” asked Mwende.Mwende said it is high time youth focused on how to uplift their living standards by looking for various avenues which would enable them earn a living.“They approached me with an idea of having their own leaders who will champion their agenda at the Mombasa County Assembly and I fully support that course,” she added.Mwende said she has visited several companies within Changamwe to source for employment opportunities.She further said she was working towards ensuring youth and women groups access devolved funds so as to venture into business.She argued that without implementing a different approach on the youth challenges in the area, most youth would remain poor and suffer from economic hurdles.On his part, Kombo said that his first agenda was to ensure youth groups in the ward are registered so as to access the Youth Enterprise Fund and the Uwezo fund.“We will be strong if we are united. No politicians will misuse us we are now focused,” he said.