29/04/2026
KMTC Mombasa President’s Award Kenya Lead Charge Against Youth Gambling
A much-needed conversation is taking shape along the Coast as members of the President’s Award Kenya (PA-K) at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Mombasa step forward to confront a growing yet often overlooked threat: youth gambling.
Under the theme “End the Gamble, Start the Journey,” the campus has launched a weeklong awareness campaign to steer young people away from risky betting habits and toward more purposeful life choices.
The initiative, officially unveiled on Monday, April 27, 2026, brings together leaders, educators, and community stakeholders united by a shared concern: the rising social and economic toll of gambling among the youth. The campaign will run through Friday, May 1, 2026, blending awareness, mentorship, and community outreach and will see the PA-K members take the message to KMTC Kilifi, Pwani University and Malindi High School.
Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Gender, Sports and Social Services, Dr. Jonathan Wepukhulu, did not mince words on the urgency of the issue. “Gambling is silently eroding the potential of our youth. What begins as recreation can quickly spiral into dependency, financial strain, and lost opportunities. This is a challenge that calls for collective action,” he said.
From the perspective of rehabilitation and youth development, Prof. Jostinah W. Mwang’ombe of Shimo Borstal Education Institution pointed to the deeper responsibility of training institutions. “Preparing competent health professionals goes beyond the classroom. It is about nurturing resilience, awareness, and the ability to make sound life choices. This initiative speaks directly to that responsibility,” she noted.
Representing the KMTC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, Deputy Registrar (Quality Assurance) Ms. Lucy Kuria brought the message closer to reality, drawing from lived experiences.
“We often encounter young people whose journeys into difficulty begin with habits that appear harmless. Prevention through awareness and engagement is far more effective than intervention after the damage is done,” she said.
Beyond speeches, the campaign is designed as a hands-on, student-centred movement, featuring peer advocacy sessions, mentorship forums, counselling clinics, and community outreach activities. These engagements aim to spark honest conversations while equipping young people with practical tools to make informed decisions.
Among those in attendance were representatives from President’s Award Kenya, and KMTC Mombasa Principal Dr. Jacinta Mukonzo, alongside other leaders.
