By Jane Meza
Mombasa County, Kenya: In a landmark event held in Mombasa, a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), media professionals, government officials, boda boda operators, youth leaders, Human Rights actors, and People Living with Disabilities came together to tackle two pressing issues affecting Kenya.
Digital threats and youth unemployment Spearheaded by Ajenda Kenya and Siasa Space courtesy of Trustlab Baraza, the forum primarily targeted young people aged 18 to 35, both men and women, to address growing concerns over online harassment, cyberbullying, and the critical challenge of job creation for youth.
Key to the forum was the involvement of international partners such as Deutsche Welle (DW), Code for Africa, the European Union (EU), and Trustlab whose participation highlighted the importance of global collaboration in combating cyber threats.
Juliet Atellah Akinyi, the Digital strategist from Siasa Space Organization, stressed the necessity of collective action, stating that digital space knows no borders to effectively combat cyberbullying and online harassment adding that Siasa Space focuses on youths, women, and marginalized people in society.
“The main reason we are here is about the Trustlab project to discuss how to use digital space for safety, our main focus is on youth participation, civic education, and political accountability participation and we are here to provide you with tools and skills for online safety you encounter online attack, we need a united approach.” Said Ms. Atellah.
According to Atellah, the EU contributed a global perspective on digital rights and accountability, while DW provided insights into how ethical journalism and media literacy can help curb the spread of misinformation, Code for Africa, on the other hand, offered technical guidance on cybersecurity, equipping local communities with the skills needed to safeguard their digital identities.
The forum also delved into local frustrations, particularly surrounding the “Kazi Mtaani” program, which aims to offer employment opportunities to young Kenyans.
Attended by Maweni location area Chief Bernard Omollo Oloo addressed concerns about the program’s absence in Mombasa County, noting that it was currently only operational in Nairobi. “We have not received any official communication from the government about the rollout of “Kazi Mtaani” in Mombasa. Once we do, residents will be informed and in the meantime, I urge the youth to be patient and avoid falling victim to scams,” he said.
Adding to the discussion, Richard Rwoti, Assistant Director of Youth Development in Mombasa, introduced two upcoming initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment, the Nyota program, set to roll out in all 47 counties, and the Who Is Next initiative, which focuses on talent development.
“These programs are designed not only to create job opportunities but also to steer our youth away from issues like drug abuse and radicalization and online scums,” Rwoti stated.
Participants, including boda boda operators and youth leaders, engaged in training sessions that focused on identifying and responding to digital threats with experts guiding protecting personal data, recognizing fake news, and maintaining online privacy.
“Online harassment is not just a technical issue—it’s a human rights issue most affected victims are women being body shamed online, children, and LGBTQ communities,” remarked a representative from the Human Rights organization.
The training also addressed the psychological toll of cyberbullying, particularly on young people, and highlighted the role of the media in combating misinformation. Charles Ayako the Regional Coordinator of Youth Affairs, Coast Region emphasized the importance of fact-checking and responsible journalism in preventing the spread of false information that often leads to online abuse.
Some of the participants shared personal experiences that shed light on the real-world impact of digital threats and unemployment. One such story came from a boda boda operator from Nyali Constituency, who described he was conned after coming across a WhatsApp group message that was circulating that Nyali MP was giving free petrol to the first 10 boda boda to arrive at a certain meeting point only for him to be robbed,”. he narrated.
His experience highlighted the need for digital literacy, especially among those who rely heavily on social platforms for their livelihoods. He expressed gratitude for the training he received during the forum, which taught him how to better protect his personal data. “Now I know how to spot phishing scams and use stronger passwords. This forum gave me the tools I didn’t even know I needed.” He said.
On the topic of employment, a 28-year-old lady spoke about her frustration with the delayed rollout of the Kazi Mtaani program in Mombasa but felt a renewed sense of hope after hearing about the Nyota and Who are Next programs, designed to uplift young people like her through job creation and talent development.
“Many of us are waiting for opportunities we hear about jobs in Nairobi, but here in Mombasa, we’re left wondering when it will be our turn,” she said.
One local food vendor said the initiative is giving them something to look forward to wishing it happen as soon as possible because a lot of them are struggling to find work.
A Technical University of Mombasa student also shared the experience her friend went through in search of love and romance stating how the friend was scammed for a lot of money and in the end she didn’t get the man she was hoping for ended up be blocked,
“my friend found a group on Facebook connecting people with foreigners and she decided to try her luck but ended up spending money she was never linked to the “mzungu” she was looking for instead she was blocked immediately after sending the money,” she explained.
These personal experiences underscored the forum’s importance, illustrating how issues like cyberbullying, online scams, and unemployment directly impact the lives of young people in Kenya.
As the event concluded, Felix Obiero the Executive Director at Ajenda Kenya reiterated the importance of continued collaboration between local and international partners.
“This forum is just the beginning with the support of organizations like Agenda Kenya, and Siasa Space under Trustlab we are laying a strong foundation for digital safety and youth empowerment in Kenya,” he said.
The forum sets the stage for similar events across Kenya, ensuring that both digital safety and employment initiatives reach all regions by addressing these issues in tandem, stakeholders aim to create a more inclusive, safer digital space while providing meaningful opportunities for Kenya’s youth.
