Residents of the Mwagodi area in Ramisi Ward, Kwale County, have been urged to encourage young people to acquire relevant skills to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities in the Blue Economy.

Speaking during a fundraiser at Magodi Catholic Church to support the completion of the church building, Bandari Maritime Academy Board of Directors Chairman Eng. Lunganzi Chai Mangale said specialized training is essential for young people seeking employment in the maritime and port sectors.

Eng. Lunganzi said the coastal region had significant opportunities for skilled workers, particularly in areas such as marine engineering, navigation, and technical services at ports and seafarer vessels.

“We want to empower our youths to be able to compete for jobs such as marine pilots, marine engineers, and technicians, as well as other specialized skills needed in our ports,” he said.

He encouraged parents and guardians to support their children in enrolling for skills training, particularly at Bandari Maritime Academy, to equip them with skills relevant to the fast-changing labour market.

Eng. Lunganzi also urged residents to make productive use of increased rainfall associated with El Niño conditions by planting trees and other crops that could improve household livelihoods.

He called on Kwale County leaders to sensitize residents about the risks associated with the predicted heavy rains of El Niño, including flooding, while encouraging farmers to take advantage of favourable conditions for agriculture.

“We need to tell our people who reside in riparian areas prone to flooding to move to higher ground and our farmers to use the rains to plant tree crops such as orange trees, coconut trees, and cashew nut trees,” he said.

Eng. Lunganzi also announced his intention to seek the position of Kwale governor in the 2027 General Election, adding that the county continued to face challenges that need resolution in sectors including agriculture, education, healthcare, mining, roads, and markets.

“There are many issues to be addressed that affect Kwale residents, including agriculture, education, health, mining, roads, and markets. I have a clear picture of what needs to be done,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, the area MCA Hanifa Mwajirani called on politicians and their supporters to maintain peace during the 2027 election campaigns and respect the outcome of the elections.

She said political competition should not be allowed to undermine peaceful coexistence among residents.

“Politicians should understand that politics comes to an end, but people’s lives have to continue. May God help us,” said Mwajirani.

Referring to the teachings shared during the church gathering, she urged political leaders and their supporters to exercise peace and restraint in their public statements and conduct campaigns peacefully.

Another leader and Kwale senatorial aspirant, Master Dennis Kimatu, echoed the call for cooperation among county leaders, saying leaders should work together to address challenges affecting the residents.

Kimatu said leaders should be willing to take advice and correction whenever areas that require improvement for better quality of life for residents are identified.

“I want to make my work easy whenever dealing with development matters. If things are not going the right way, we need to come together and correct one another,” he said.

By Mary Mtawa