At least 412 youths in Kwale county are set to benefit from a project funded by European Union
and implemented by Kenya Red Cross Society.
The project mostly targets youths who are vulnerable to radicalisation, criminal gangs and drug addiction.
“We are targeting those youths who are ready to change like the drug addicts , those who had joined criminals groups and others,” he said.
Kwale County Red Cross coordinator Mohammed Said noted that so far, the project has enrolled youths from five coast counties including Kwale and three others in North Eastern at a cost of Sh600 million.
Said told The Star on
phone yesterday that the essence of the four-year
project is to enhance peace through creating economic opportunities from the youths.
"For a year, a county might get around Sh15,000 depending on its activities,"
he said.
Said noted that the youth will
engage
in income-generating activities so as to become independent.
"We have conducted a market survey
on the reality of the market in Kwale and the report was out
yesterday,"
he said.
"The next step is to group the youth and fund them so
they can start businesses."
He noted that the funding will come after they have checked for business plans for the youth based on the market survey.
"Some youth may have a business idea which does not work well in the market, therefore we will be advising them on the best plans, based on the market survey,"
said Said.
Also to be included in the project are peace awareness forums and dialogues.