In a room filled with uniformed police, chiefs and assistant chiefs at the Kwale Cultural Centre, one young man stood out, not for his title, but for his quiet focus, typing diligently on a laptop in the corner.
Dressed in a striped shirt and exuding quiet confidence, his presence among seasoned administrators stirred my curiosity.
I made my way to him, unsure of the protocol in a room so formal.
Leaning in, I whispered, “It is so hot in Kwale today, isn’t it?” A smile spread across his face.
The ice was broken.
He introduced himself with a firm handshake. His name is John Kadongo, Youth Leader from Matuga Sub County, Kwale County.
At just 30, John carries the weight of a responsibility few his age are prepared for.
“I have always wanted to work in security,” he told me, his voice filled with purpose.
That ambition turned into reality when he vied against ten other hopefuls in a competitive vetting process overseen by the Deputy County Commissioner, County Commander and Sub-County Chiefs.
“They wanted someone who could mobilise youth and work closely with the existing security teams. I was honoured to be chosen,” he said with pride.
John is not just a youth leader, he is a bridge between the youth and a government trying to regain its grip on peace.
“In the wake of growing insecurity in the Coast region, my job is to keep the peace,” he said.
“That means talking to youth involved in drugs, crime and gangs. I counsel them, mentor them, remind them that there is another way.”
The Jukwaa la Usalama tour, led by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, brought together voices like John’s to speak about the root causes of insecurity.
“Youth are not the problem; they are the answer,” he said during the opening of the meeting.
John came to listen, but also to be heard.
“One of our biggest challenges is the strained relationship between police and youth,” he explained.
“To police, every youth looks like a suspect. And to many youths, police are the enemy. Until that changes, peace will remain fragile.”
As part of his community efforts, John visits high schools to speak about the dangers of gang involvement and drug use.
It is work that comes from the heart and from a desire to change the future, one conversation at a time.
CS Murkomen, speaking at the same event, acknowledged that the region was grappling with rising cases of drug abuse and youth-led gangs.
“We are here because we want to listen,” he said.
“Good leadership begins with listening. Kwale is a special county, and we are committed to eliminating the roots of these problems.”
The CS did not mince words when addressing the Chiefs in the room: “If children are out of school despite primary education being free, it is a failure of leadership. This is not just an education issue, it is a looming security threat.”
He stressed that policing and administration are not mere jobs; they are callings.
“When you wear the uniform, you are serving your community. You have to give it your all.”
Plans are already underway to tackle the drug menace.
Murkomen revealed that the national government is working with the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to set up rehabilitation centers across the country.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, who joined the meeting, echoed the need for collective responsibility.
“Parents must step up when children go astray,” she said, praising the security forces for their efforts.
She also urged the Cabinet Secretary to consider hardship allowances for Chiefs in her county, many of whom walk long distances and even bear scars from bullets in the line of duty.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Mairori, Chairperson of NACADA, shared that a fully equipped rehab center is already operational in Kwale.
“We are working to ensure that every person battling addiction in this county gets help. For those who cannot reach us, we will reach them, through trained community health workers.”
As the session closed, the room remained heavy with emotion but also with hope.
In the presence of Governors, Members of Parliament, Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, police chiefs and youth leaders like Kadongo, it was clear that the conversation had only just begun.
John Kadongo may not wear a uniform, but he is armed with something just as powerful: belief in change and the courage to lead it for a safer, secure community.
