Kwale youth have been urged to convert maskanis into empowerment groups to combat unemployment and insecurity.
Maskanis are informal spaces where young people come together in their local neighbourhoods to socialise.
Youth officer Jawa Mwachupa said young people can easily earn money by starting small businesses in maskanis, thereby reducing idleness which contributes to insecurity.
He said instead of wasting time chewing muguka and taking drugs all day, young people can engage in entrepreneurial activities that will transform their lives.
"The time has come for us to make a change. Within those maskani groups, youth can engage in income-generating activities," Mwachupa said.
He said instead of sitting idle and misleading one another, young people can choose to sell fast food and secondhand clothing in maskanis to make their day count.
Mwachupa urged youth to stop complaining about lack of employment and take personal initiative to improve their lives.
He said there are numerous government empowerment programmes and opportunities for youth that if properly utilised, can lead to self-employment and improved livelihoods.
Mwachupa said the government cannot employ everyone because jobs are scarce.
"The job market is very crowded. Every year, universities release thousands of graduates," he said.
Mwachupa advised youth to form groups, apply for youth funds and grants and participate in meaningful development projects.
He told them to stay away from crime and drugs, adding that a criminal's road is always short and the law will eventually catch up with them.
Mwachupa suggested that instead of attacking each other with pangas and machetes in retaliation, the youth should band together for development.
He advised young people to use their energy to build a foundation that will support them in their old age.
Kaya elder Mohammed Sibabu cautioned the youth against being exploited to cause insecurity.
He said many young people in the boda boda business are involved in illegal activities, destroying the sector's image and that of the other youth.
The elder advised the youth to apply for government security jobs such as police, KDF, KWS and KFS.
Kenya Community Support Centre field officer Mwalimu Rama urged parents to start businesses and income-generating activities for their children.
He blamed poor parenting for the moral decadence threatening to destroy youths. He said many parents have relegated parenting responsibilities to other people.
"If you can sell everything to bail out your criminal children, why don't you do the same in setting up income-generating projects for them?" he posed.
Rama said society must change its attitude towards empowerment and take a personal initiative in creating self-employment for the youth.
He said people cannot sit back and wait for the government to do everything for them.
Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics secretary Sheikh Amani Mwachirumu said parents must raise children on religious backgrounds.
He said insecurity cases and other social vices are increasing because society has abandoned the word of God.
Mwachirumu said it is important for parents to monitor their children's behavioural change.
