Hope for peace as Likoni shuns political violence

The political climate in Likoni, Mombasa, is changing and residents are perceiving politics differently, according to local administrators. 

There will less likely be violence due to politics. This is brought about by NGOs that have created awareness, especially among the youth, of the devastations of political violence in society.

King, one of the most notorious youths in Likoni known for political violence, on Sunday told the Star that through organisations such as Engage Jamii Initiative, he changed how he looks at politics.

He said he used to be approached by politicians whenever they had a function or wanted to disrupt an opponent’s rally. 

“It was like a side hustle that became the main hustle during electioneering,” King said on the phone.

According to the 34-year-old, prominent politicians in the Likoni area of Mombasa county used to call him for ‘work’.

“We would negotiate before any assignment and would settle on Sh10,000, Sh20,000 or even Sh25,000 per event according to the profile of the politician to be disrupted or depending on how dangerous the job would be,” King said.

After negotiating for his personal cut, he would then negotiate for his ‘boys’, which included the main group of about 10 people and other smaller groups.

These would get about Sh1,000 or Sh500 each, depending on how much money the politician parted with. In total, King would receive up to Sh70,000 a job.

“However, sometimes things would become tough and demands at home would become high and I ended up giving my boys even Sh300 each per job and pocket the rest," he said. 

In most cases, the politicians would not cater for medication and hospital bills whenever one of the boys got injured "in the line of duty".

“This is where we would differ with most of the politicians. Although some were good enough and would treat the injured ones, it was rare,” King said. 

He now says he is a changed man and a peace ambassador. 

Engage Jamii Initiative founder Fatuma Juma said they have unveiled peace teams to educate the youth on the importance of peace. 

The programme, with the support of the US Embassy, has been working with artists from the grassroots to help spread the peace message because of their links with the locals.

“We mostly target youth and women because they are influential and are the majority. They are also the most misused lot by politicians,” Juma said on Saturday in Likoni. 

Likoni assistant county commissioner Noah Logwatale said more organisations should help disengage the youth from political violence.

“As we head into the 2022 election, organisations should come and talk to the youth and build their capacity. It will help us be better prepared for 2022,” Logwatale said.

He said more than 80 politicians have expressed interest in different political seats in Likoni.

“We sensitise people to follow the law when politicking. Politicians should also follow their political party ideals,” Logwatale said.

He, however, noted that the political environment is changing and people are moving away from politics of religion, tribalism and parties.

"People are embracing more policies and character than party, religion and tribe," he said. 

He said the involvement of the community has helped improve security.

"We have engaged the youth in barazas. We have also partnered with organisations like Engage Jamii Initiative to mentor the youth," Logwatale said.

Juma said in most cases, politicians abandon the youth they used to perpetrate violence once electioneering is over. 

“Then the youth end up in the ‘wanted’ list of security agencies due to the atrocities they committed during campaigns,” Juma said.

Some youth end up joining gangs in the neighbourhoods.

Lack of jobs is a big challenge for those willing to reform.

“Most do not like what they do but insist on doing it to get that shilling to feed their families,” Juma said.

King said money was the single most alluring motivator.

“But now, I have some projects that I am running through some sponsorship and I get too busy to attend these political rallies,” King said.