Kenyan Somaliland youth council inaugurated in Nairobi
The Kenya Somaliland national youth council was officially inaugurated in Nairobi on Saturday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The council, formed with the backing of the Somaliland embassy in Kenya brings together youth born in Kenya with Somaliland roots.
The Youth Assembly which aims to promote the interests of the community whose ancestries settled in Kenya in from the 17th century.
The youth Assembly follows other groupings among them the Kenya Somalilanders women group known as the Oasis and the Kenya-Somaliland Parliamentary caucus which have been formed previously to champion the interest of Somalilanders.
The establishment of the youth council is aimed at increasing youth coordination, empowerment and engagement in various areas of education, employment creation, sports, economic development and political participation and reviving the historical roots and socio-cultural integration.
Ismail Abdi was elected as the chairman of the council and will be deputies by Ikram Amina Mohamed who sits in the East Africa Parliament.
The event was attended by the Somaliland Ambassador to Kenya Dr Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud, the Mayor of Somaliland capital Hargeisa Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge, MP from Somaliland Barkhad Jama Batun, the chairman of the Kenya Somaliland Parliamentary Caucus and Mandera West MP Adam Yusuf, nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai among other local leaders.
Speakers expressed their happiness at the formation of the council but also challenged the new elected officials and its members to strive to achieve their goals.
Somaliland Ambassador to Kenya Dr Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud said that the embassy will offer support to the council and ensure that it succeeds in its endeavors.
“We are proud to be part of this historic moment when the youth in Kenya with Somaliland background have come together to form the Kenya Somaliland National Youth Council,” the ambassador.
The ambassador said Somaliland embassy is committed to seeing the youth from the 4t counties in Kenya come together to unite the millions of Somalilanders in Kenya.
“This council will form the backbone of stronger ties between Kenya and Somaliland and also between the millions of Somalilanders who are now Kenyan citizens by birth.
The Chairman of the Kenya Somaliland Parliamentary caucus Hon. Adan Haji Yusuf said he was happy with the formation of the youth council and said his parliamentary caucus will offer advise and support to the youth council whenever required.
“On behalf of the Kenya-Somaliland parliamentary caucus, I welcome the formation of the youth council and promise our unwavering support for its growth,” said Yusuf.
Hargeisa Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge said he was happy that Kenyan Somaliland youth are doing their best to have a platform. He Challenged the youth to work hard to help build Kenya and Somaliland.
“For Kenya and Somaliland and Africa to succeed, the youth must strive to work together. But success can only be achieved if we shun hatred and tribalism,” said the mayor.
UMMA University vice chancellor Halima Diriye Ahmed said it’s time for the Somaliland community in Kenya to come together to empower their youth and the newly launched council is the best plattform to do so
“We need such initiatives to create opportunities for our youth. Our young boys and girls need scholarships which are available. In such groupings we now know where and how to reach them,” she said.
Somaliland Barkhad Jama Batun who was among the guests extoled the Kenyan community for standing with Somaliland in the country’s quest for self determination.
“In Kenya, we know we have support in our quest. Our brothers and sisters in Kenya especially those with Somaliland background have maintained their support for us and this youth council is just another plattform we can use to push our agenda as a people.,” said Barkhad Jama Batun.
Senator Hezena Lemaletian said the youth are the biggest constituency in any Nation and the coming together of the Somalilader youth in Kenya is revolutionary in a way .
“You now have a voice, use it well. This is the beginning of a force,” she said .
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai encouraged the youth to embrace technology in their areas of operation saying the world is now a golabl tech village.