MOMBASA, Kenya – The government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address the critical security and social challenges facing the Coast region.
With escalating land disputes and rising drug trafficking undermining community stability, the government’s new initiative, Jukwaa la Usalama, promises a multi-faceted approach aimed at tackling these issues head-on.
The launch of Jukwaa la Usalama is a national platform that seeks to engage citizens directly in matters of security, governance, and public safety.
Officially introduced on April 8, 2025, the program’s initial edition focused on the Coast, where longstanding land disputes and narcotic abuse have severely affected both the local population and economic growth.
The government aims to create a lasting dialogue between citizens, law enforcement, and policymakers, ensuring that solutions are tailored to the region’s unique challenges.
In a region plagued by land ownership issues, many areas, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita Taveta, have been caught in the grip of disputes over land tenure.
Community elders and land rights activists raised concerns at the forum, highlighting cases of historical disinheritance, fraudulent transactions, and lack of land titles.
The government has committed to addressing these issues through a specialized task force designed to audit contested land titles, streamline registration processes, and digitize records to improve transparency.
This initiative aims to end the cycle of violence triggered by unresolved land claims, which has long been a source of conflict in the region.
Parallel to the land issue is the growing problem of narcotics.
In particular, the Coast region has seen an alarming rise in drug trafficking, which has become a threat to youth safety and community cohesion.
Civil society groups and health workers reported that drug trafficking routes through maritime borders have exacerbated local insecurity and contributed to the erosion of community cohesion.
As a response, the government is launching a robust anti-narcotics task force to monitor drug smuggling routes and enforce stricter controls at the borders and fishing ports that are often used for trafficking.
Additionally, a network of rehabilitation centers will be established, focusing on recovery and reintegration programs, especially for young people involved in the drug trade.
At the heart of the government’s new plan is community engagement.
The Jukwaa la Usalama forum provides a platform for ordinary citizens to raise their concerns, propose solutions, and engage directly with security officials.
In the Coast forum, participants highlighted alarming trends, such as drug dens replacing schools in Mombasa slums, where children as young as 12 are seen huffing glue in abandoned classrooms.
Parents expressed growing frustration, with some citing how their children have either turned to drug abuse or were recruited into extremist groups.
The government’s response includes funding mentorship programs, rehabilitation initiatives, and partnerships with NGOs focused on community-based education and sports activities to deter youth from radicalization and drug abuse.
The government also seeks to address youth unemployment, a key factor driving social unrest and involvement in criminal activities.
Plans to establish Youth Safety and Innovation Hubs in partnership with the State Department for Youth Affairs will provide digital literacy training, creative arts incubators, and opportunities for civic engagement, offering young people pathways to a brighter future.
Ultimately, Jukwaa la Usalama is more than just a response to the Coast’s immediate security concerns; it is part of a broader vision to restore trust in government institutions and foster a collaborative approach to public safety.
By bringing communities together with government agencies, the initiative represents a shift towards a more inclusive and responsive security framework, aiming to prevent future crises rather than simply reacting to them.
