Charlene Ruto urges investment in young people for a better Kenya

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There is a need to invest in young people from their formative ages to bring about positive change in society, Charlene Ruto has said.

Charlene said young people are the engines that make the world tick today and for years to come.

Speaking in Mombasa on Monday, she urged young people to take advantage of the change in the education system to turn their dreams into reality to move the country forward.

“You are very blessed and lucky that you had the education system of our country changed during your lifetime. I went through the 8-4-4 system and we said it was very rigid.

“It built us to be who we are today but we always wished it was more practical,” Charlene said when she officially opened the newly revamped Bhadala Comprehensive School.

The school is part of initiatives of the Muslim Bhadala Jamaat community in Mombasa, whose new chairman Imtiaz Sayani has pledged to take the community forward.

Started in 2003, it has more than 300 learners and over 40 teachers, with more upgrades on the way.

Sayani took over the leadership of the community two months ago and has seen it add a new college, the Muslim Bhadala Jamaat College, which will offer courses to students who do not make it to the university. He also bought the school a bus.

“My point to you, young people, is having a dream. Invest in your dream and talent and it will take you very far,” the first daughter, who pledged to help build a library in the school, Charlene said.

Sayani said dedication to education, uplifting of and service to the community have been core pillars of his and President William Ruto family’s legacy.

“This school is not just a building. It is a foundation for a brighter future,” he said.

He added that the Bhadala school will produce leaders in different fields, including sports, academia, politics and business.

“This is because we have a mentor in Charlene Ruto, whose love for the young people’s success has seen her inspire a new generation of young leaders.”

Fardin Sameja, the school board’s administrator, said education is the greatest gift any community can give to the future generation.

He urged the students to work hard, saying greatness is not achieved overnight, but through discipline, dedication and service to others.

The school board secretary, Sajid Sameja, said the new facilities will ensure better understanding of the competency-based education curriculum, which he said is more practical and suitable to today’s world.

Sajid added that the Muslim Bhadala Jamaat community is dedicated to the wellbeing of the young people, whom he challenged to increase their knowledge and understanding of the current world in order to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

“Our world today needs more problem solvers. We need innovative young people to drive our country forward with proper guidance from the more experienced ones.”

Bhadala Secondary School principal Vincent Obunga said education is the foundation of progress.

“When we invest in a school, we invest in the future of our children, and, by extension, the future of the nation,” he said.

The new facilities, Obunga said, put the school in a better position to offer quality education, promote creativity and encourage excellence.

Instant analysis:

The Bhadala, one of Mombasa’s oldest Kutchi Sunni communities, have been part of this city’s story for centuries. They are renowned seafarers and merchants whose roots stretch from Sindh and Kutch to the Swahili coast.