The Kwale government has launched the first-ever audition of Kwale Got Talent to help combat crime, drugs, teen pregnancies and early marriages through nurturing talents.
The region is among the counties with a high number of young drug addicts and teen pregnancies.
About 8,000 youth (boys and girls) below 18 years are addicted to muguka, according to Teens Watch, an Ukunda-based NGO for youth affairs.
More than 200 youths are expected to take part in the auditions across the county.
The winners will be awarded full sponsorship of their careers and enable them to transit to global auditions. The auditions will be held annually.
Sports and talent management executive Ramadhan Bungale said the auditions are meant to tap the potential of hidden talents amongst the youth.
"Many youngsters possess great talents but because of drug issues and other things, they disappear," Bungale said.
He said they are trying to put sense in youth that the art industry is not all about drugs and being crooked as it is believed by many.
He said with the auditions, young lives will be inspired and careers developed.
The executive said the county has set up recording studios, amphitheaters and football pitches for youth to showcase and nurture their talents.
He said the long-term goal is to ensure youth benefit from their hard work by creating an environment conducive for exploring and nourishing skills.
"We aim to better their talents to become reliable sources of income for them," he said.
The official said they are also using the auditions to promote learning since talents require education to be well developed.
The auditions are expected to take at least four weeks and will be conducted in all the four subcounties of Matuga, Msambweni, Kinango and Lunga-Lunga.
KGT chief executive officer Vincent Odadah said they are rooting for grassroots talents to help rural youth establish their potentials.
He said they are seeking various partners who will support the programme, to accommodate more youths.
Odadah said the county has a lot of talented young but their dreams have been shuttered for lack of mentors and financial support.
"Many youth's lives have been destroyed because of being demoralised in life. They have no one to guide them and end up getting trapped in bad company," he said.
KGT team leader Nehemiah Kinyua said the auditions will also be extended to prisons.
He said they want to recognise their talents and make them feel they are part of society despite being in correctional processes.
He urged the youth to come out in large numbers and expose their different abilities.
