- SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
Bakari Galana: »The youth are important in our society; they are the ones who will take over the country«
Bakari Galana from Nakuru, a police officer, has helped collect 400 knives.
»We have succeeded in involving the right partners and changing the mindset of the gang members and the politicians. The two groups have used each other to create unrest and make money during elections. «
There is pride in the voice of Bakari Galana, who works for the Kenyan Police Service in the informal settlement Bondeni, home to 35,000 people.
»Young people are important in our society; they are the ones who will take over the country«
It was not in the cards that the police would reach out to more than 400 gang members in Bondeni on Bakari Galana’s initiative, but something happened after he participated in MIDRIFT HURINET’s violence prevention program.
»It wasn’t long before the 2022 elections that I had to finish the program and choose a project. So, I decided that the initiative should be about creating a calmer run-up to the elections, « says the police officer, who, with the other trainees, identified vulnerable young people as a group that usually created conflict during elections.
»In collaboration with the local mosque, we met with the local gangs and told them about their opportunities to exchange violence and crime for work. «
The lure of a steady income
Baraki Galana allowed the gang members to join a government-sponsored initiative where youths are offered jobs like sweeping public places and keeping them clean for 500 Kenyan shillings a day (24 DKK).
»In the past, politicians and others have exploited unemployment and paid young people to riot and create discord in favor of politicians’ campaigns. We have agreed with the youth that they won’t do that anymore, « says Bakari Galana, adding that the gang members handed over 400 knives when they made the deal to secure them permanent jobs instead of living on small payments from violence.
It’s not just the gang members who have felt the change. According to the policeman, 400 fewer knives in circulation has helped to make the area safer, and the cooperation has evolved to the point where he sometimes gets a call to warn him if there is an insecurity brewing in Bondeni.
»I’m proud of what we have achieved. I’m a very, very happy policeman, « he smiles.
»Young people are essential in our society; they are the ones who will take over the country. «