They went to study with hope that the newly constructed multi-billion Lamu port is going to be their game changer in Life. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Now the more than 400 youths from Lamu want to be considered for jobs at the port which is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s flag ship projects at the Coast.
The youths were given full scholarships by the national government during the construction of the multi-billion port project and now wants Lapsset authority to consider them for employment.
The youth who graduated with certificates, diplomas and degrees from different institutions claimed that there has been a deep silence by the management of the port over their employment opportunities since it was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The youths spoke to journalists in Malindi after a meeting with former Lamu governor Issa Timammy.
They claimed that most of them hail from poor families, others are orphans and had high expectations of being absorbed even in phases when the project was being commissioned but it did not happen.
One of the youths, Ummu Bwanamkuu who is an orphan who graduated with a diploma in human resource management said she hails from a poor family and had higher expectations that once the project was commissioned, she would be part of those who will be considered for employment.
She said that he was given a scholarship by Lapsset authority and begun her course in 2014 up to 2016 at Kabete National polytechnic.
“I have been brought up by a single mother who is also sick and has so many problems, she had many challenges educating me that’s why I had hope of getting employment now so as to help her but unfortunately I was not lucky,” she said.
She said last week dockers were employed and despite them sending documents to apply they were not given a chance.
“I trained, graduated and am qualified for the jobs at Lapsset but unfortunately we were locked out and those employed were just form four leavers with D minus and D plain,” she said.
She urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to hear their plight and intervene as she is just one of the 400 who are out there seeking to get employment from the same institution that facilitated their education.
In Lamu many people are poor and some are orphans which makes life so difficult to survive without jobs.
“I urge you Mheshimiwa if you can hear me or see me, give us priority in the job opportunities at the Lapsset so as to uplift the standards of living of our families who now depend on us,” she said.
She said they were initially told that after college they would go for internship and once the port opens are given a chance to work.
Stephen Maseku Orembe another Lapsset graduate thanked the former Governor for agreeing to hear their plight and expressed optimism that the president will hear their concerns.
Mr Orembe a graduate from technical university of Kenya who did Business Communication majoring in procurement logistics and supply chain management and current chairman of the union of Lapsset students said they represent 400 who already graduated but missed out in the recent recruitment.
He said when former President Mwai Kibaki came to launch the construction of the Lapsset in 2012 he promised to give 1000 scholarships for Lamu youth so as to benefit on the port jobs when its launched.
“Out of the 1000 youth he promised to give scholarships 400 have already completed their studies, and they are the same ones who expected to be given priority when the operations begin, however since it was commissioned, we have not seen anyone being given a chance,” he said.
He also appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to offer them a chance because majorities are from poor families.
The former Lamu governor thanked the president Kenyatta for launching the first berth of Lapsset adding that he was happy the President emphasized that Lamu youth must be given priority in employment.
“These youth should be given a chance because they got education with government money and it’s important for the government to benefit from their services through the knowledge they got,” he said,
Timammy also advised the youth not to give up as they will support them to ensure they get opportunities at the Lapsset.
