@ppcheti
Lamu youth will not feign unemployment as a reason for joining terror groups or doing drugs, Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia has said.
Macharia on Tuesday said there are enough state projects employing thousands in the region.
He said the youth have been hiding behind the unemployment veil as an excuse to join terror groups or peddle drugs.
The county commissioner cited the new Lamu Port and the Sh3 billion Livestock Pre-Export Quarantine project as having the ability to provide sustainable employment.
Macharia said priority of employment in these projects is being given to residents.
There is also the intended Sh21 billion wind harnessing project and the controversial Sh200 billion projects, all of which carry high employment opportunities if and when implemented.
“Anybody who will join terrorism will be doing so at their own liking, not because they have no job.
"We have created job opportunities for residents through the various state projects. All we need is for people to come forward and claim them.
“The same goes for drug dealers. There is no excuse for crime anymore because Lamu has good opportunities,” Macharia said.
The county commissioner said the government has put in elaborate measures to ensure and guarantee the security of the region, thus providing perfect grounds for investment and trade.
Macharia said the national government is keen to establish as many projects in Lamu as possible to offer employment to the residents.
“No one will claim they do drugs or joined terrorism because they have no work. All these projects the government is implementing here are meant to provide jobs. Seek them out so that you don’t fall on the wrong side of the law,” he said.
The county commissioner warned the public against spreading malicious and false propaganda against state projects.
He said adequate security measures had equally been taken to guarantee a safe festive season.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
