Kwale youths, NGOs kick off campaign against insecurity, SGBV after cases rise

Kwale youths and several NGOs have launched a campaign to educate communities on security, peace, and sexual and gender-based violence to build community resilience and spearhead development.

The campaign is by a group of at least five youths and non-governmental and community-based organisations that arose from a need to address increased cases of insecurity and SGBV in the Coast region. The NGOs/ CBOs are Green Minds, Children Empowerment and Development, Smart Move Community Organization, Kwale Women's Desk, and 2KO Na Hope.

The activists kicked off a three-month campaign on Tuesday, involving religious leaders, kaya elders, security officers, the youth, and community leaders, who will hold grassroots-level talks to address insecurity and SGBV.

Kwale is among several counties in Kenya where rising insecurity cases have prompted the government to take actions such as deploying more security personnel and opening more security camps.

Authorities once put Kwale on red alert for having an active terror cell. They believed that Jaysh Ayman, an Al-Shabaab group, had its roots in Bongwe village, Msambweni Sub-county.

Security officers from Kwale County during the presentation of JISRA grants to five CBOs at an event at Tiwi Sokoni on March 13, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Curbing gang influence

The five NGOs/ CBOs were on Tuesday awarded grants by the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA).

Speaking at the ceremony, Green Minds Chairperson Caroline Katana said they will implement the "Punguza Vipanga, Jenga Amani" project in Waa/Ng'ombeni Ward, Matuga Sub-county, as part of efforts to curb violence.

"There is a high number of unemployment cases in Kenya, especially among the youth; most join criminal gangs for their livelihood," Katana noted. "We believe if we give the youth something that will help them genuinely earn their daily bread, cases of crime will decline."

She added that they also aim to develop talent and equip the youth with skills such as carpentry and soap-making.

Katana further said the programme is designed to enhance behavioural change, with some of the targeted groups being juvenile gangs, who are to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

One approach for Green Minds is to give young people safe spaces to vent and speak about their challenges so they can find solutions, get empowered to reform, and eventually contribute to national development.

"The youth are usually confronted by numerous hardships but have no one to lend them a listening ear. That's where our project comes in," she said, adding the funding they have received so far will enable them to meet their goals and help change the lives of Kwale residents.

Smart Move Community Organization Chair Jamal Abdallah hailed the programme and said the grants they receive will boost their drive to strengthen cohesion, religious tolerance, peace, and development, with a focus on teaching values.

Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics Secretary Sheikh Amani Mwachirumu at Tiwi Sokoni in Kwale County on March 13, 2024, during the presentation of grants to five CBOs. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics Secretary Sheikh Amani Mwachirumu said the project will enhance religious tolerance and unity and that dialogues will give clerics a platform to preach peace and unity in places of worship and maskanis - local dens common in Mombasa and Kwale.

Funding

The groups received funding from the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) to advocate for the rights of women and girls, peace, and security in the region.

JISRA Country Manager Zeina Hassan Mohammed said the programme is focused on enhancing the role of women and youth in setting the vision for advancing freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) and promoting their participation in decision-making.

"We believe that the FoRB and interfaith dialogues are essential and integral to the realisation of peaceful and just societies and that diverse religious actors, including women and the youth, play an important role in this process as changemakers. That's why their voices must be heard," she said.

JISRA Country Manager Zeina Hassan Mohammed addresses the press at Tiwi Sokoni in Kwale County on March 13, 2024, after awarding grants to fiveCBOs. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

The programme under JISRA, is implemented by the Kenya Community Support Center and funded by the Netherlands.

"It seeks to address harmful norms and narratives within religious communities, stimulating cooperation between religions and showing that varying religious traditions can mesh under a common vision for a better and fairer society," she said.

She noted that women play a key role in conversations about religion as they are children's primary caregivers.

Zeina said the NGOs will hold interfaith dialogue sessions in maskanis and via social media to initiate peace and SGBV awareness campaigns, bringing together all the key stakeholders.

She reported that the initiative has succeeded in parts of the country, including Tana River, Kilifi, Migori, and Nairobi, helping to alter negative perceptions about women's empowerment, and promoting peace, security, and cohesion.