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Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi has torn into fellow leaders for not providing leadership at crucial moments leading to youth feeling alienated and starting an uprising.

The senator on Thursday said many of the problems being faced by youth are created by leaders.

“To my fellow leaders here in Mombasa, let us help these youth in the county. Let us not refuse to help them because they have refused to sing our tune. These people are not your campaigners. Go look for your campaigners to sing your tune,” Senator Abdillahi said.

She spoke during the Mombasa Youth Innovation Festival 2026 organized by the Mombasa Youth Council at the Afraha Hall at Serani ground, Mombasa.

The festival brought together innovative youth who have come up with innovative creations or ideas that are beneficial to the society.

Senator Abdillahi said such innovations should be supported by leaders regardless of whether the innovators support them or not.

Ali Kubo, a youth leader eying the Mombasa Senator position, said the gathering of more than 800 youth at the hall was a string statement that the youth of Mombasa are ready to take their rightful place in leadership, innovation and economic transformation.

Kubo said times when the youth were used as ladders to leadership positions by others are long gone.

“The message is clear, when young people are empowered, communities rise and Mombasa moves forward,” he said.

Bamburi MCA Patrick Mbelle said youth in Mombasa have brilliant ideas but lack the support of leaders.

“If only we can give these youth the support they need, Mombasa would be mile ahead of tehb rest of Kenya by now,” the MCA said.

Senator Abdillahi said it is unfortunate that when the leadership of the Mombasa Youth Council seek audience of some leaders in the county for any kind of support, they are met with stern gazes which silently ask them if they support those leaders politically.

“Mombasa Youth Council is not a campaign tool,” the senator said.

She noted that she received opposition from some leaders when she took the MYC to the Senate for some deliberation on some of their ideas.

“But I have a constitutional responsibility to support these youth not because of my love but because of God and this country,” Abdillahi said.

She said innovation is not only about science and technology, but also politics, noting that political innovation is what the Kenyan youth are providing in the political arena today.

She called on the youth to focus on growth through innovation and not allow themselves to be misused by politicians who do not care about them.

“You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. Mombasa is not for a few people. It is for all Kenyans,” she said, hitting out at political players routing for zoning.

“When you hear them shouting they want zoning, know they are afraid of competition because they know they have not done anything for the people who elected them and do not deserve another term,” Abdillahi said.

She said the constitution does not allow discrimination and that everyone has a right to vie for any seat in the country, anywhere.

She said the youth are a silent majority that is organized and they should use this to their advantage.

“What stops us form fronting a young leader as governor in this county? We should not be satisfied with the MCA seat only in this Mombasa. We should aim higher,” she said.

She said Mombasa needs a leadership that is supportive of young people.

“Mombasa is about many things. It is not only about tourism, or football, or ECDEs. There are many sectors, many sporting disciplines and many education tiers,” Abdillahi said.

She said fishermen in Mombasa need to be upgraded because they still use outdated fishing methods.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

The youth in Mombasa have been calling for new faces in the political scene, saying time for youth leadership has arrived. This comes as the Mombasa Youth Council continues to churn out aspirants for various elective seats in the county.