RISING unemployment among youths in Northern Kenya makes them a soft target for recruitment by gangs and terrorists, population experts have said.
“If the challenges facing the youth are not addressed at an early stage, we could be staring at a time bomb,” area population coordinator Ken Luaki said on Monday.
He was addressing Muslim clerics and members of the civil society at a Garissa hotel.
The workshop was funded by the National Council for Population and Development.
Luaki said population challenges facing the predominantly Muslim region are unique and need a different approach.
“We want you to own the process from the word go so that it becomes easier for us to implement going forward,” he said.
The coordinator said family planning and condom use are sensitive issues in the area and must be approached “in a manner that will not offend our Muslim brothers and sisters”.
Luaki said an action plan will be implemented in phases.
He said the plan will be made to suit the region and be respectful to the Islamic faith.
Source: The Star
