THE COAST OR RATHER KILIFI YOUTHS NEED A REVOLUTION,BUT A REVOLUTION OF THEIR MINDS.

On 4th August,2010 Kenyans of all life overwhelmingly voted for the new constitution. The 2010 edition which replaced the 1963 independence constitution was approved by over 65% of Kenyan voters. The most important thing that this constitution gifted Kenyans with which every youth in this republic must embrace is devolution.

Devolution as a form governance had the following objectives;
1. to promote democratic and accountable exercise of power;
2. to foster national unity by recognizing diversity;
3. to give powers of self-governance to the people in the exercise of powers of the state and in making decisions affecting them;
4. to recognize the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development;
5. to protect and promote interests and rights of minorities and marginalized communities;
6. to promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate,easily accessible services throughout Kenya;
7. to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya;
8. to facilitate the decentralization of state organs,their functions and services,from the capital of Kenya; and
9. to enhance checks and balances and separation of power.

All the above objectives much more numbers 3,4,5,6 are a recipe of many opportunities that the youths can grab and uplift their living standards. From directly employment by devolved government, offering services and supply of goods directly to government or starting small businesses and benefit from sales from the former and the later beneficiaries of the system,six years ago Kilifi town was a ghost town with small population currently the town is witnessing rising population offering market opportunities for different goods and services from land and housing,cloth line businesses,food stuffs,health sector,entertainment you can name them. Devolution was my point of reference to drive my point home; Are Kilifi youths ready for the many opportunities available? My answer will be capital NO. As a youth who has chaired several self help groups and investment groups I can confirm working with a Mijikenda youth on investment and private businesses is a tall order an assignment worth human blood we tend to complain more instead of taking responsibility. A quick check at Sub County Uwezo funds,youth and women funds offices reveals there has been low funds absorption by locals in terms of loans. With the established financial institutions within the county those taking loans from banks for the purpose of doing businesses; of age 18-35yrs account for less than 1% . We Must change our mindset and embrace innovation.

In the recent addition in the report “WORLD EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK 2017: the International Labour Organization(ILO) a United Nations Labour Agency indicates that more than 200 million people are out of work an increase of 3.4million from last year,this is clear unemployment is a global challenge and people around the world or the Kilifi youths must change their white color jobs mindset,acknowledge and embrace both entrepreneurship,growth of small and medium businesses. In another report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Kilifi was ranked among the expensive towns to live meaning we produce less than we consume another opportunity for youths to invest more in agribusiness since there is a ready market. It is sad and absolutely sad to discover the Brunch Manager of a bank within Kilifi is from upcountry and the person selling mitumba door to door,household to household is a is from upcountry-forgive me this cannot and will never be the route empowerment and self sustainability of locals.

Let change our mindsets,yes we need a revolution but a revolution of our Minds.