A new initiative is aiming to provide opportunities and inspire young people in Coastal and Northern Kenya.
Lamu Island, known for its pristine beaches, trading history and UNESCO world heritage town, has until recently been spared much of the instability that has affected mainland Kenya. However, rapid social and economic shifts and an insurgency along the border with neighbouring Somalia are spilling over and affecting the region. Only 21% of people are in formal employment, and it has some of the lowest literacy rates in the country. Only 13% of the 115,000 population have a secondary level of education or above.
In response to these challenges, and with the support of the European Union, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is working with Islamic Relief Kenya and the newly established National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya to tackle the complex array of problems faced by youth in Lamu, Garrissa and Mandera counties.