Rukia Mohamed, A Beacon for the Garissa County Peace Movement
/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Amidst the chatter and exchanges of a bustling community forum in Garissa, a significant message resonated—a clarion call for vigilance. Rukia Mohamed, a vital voice anchoring the Garissa County peace initiative, shared a heartfelt plea. “Youth in Garissa, heed this: be aware of the shadows in our midst,” she urged. Her words were not mere caution but a somber reminder of the peril that lurks in the form of human traffickers, those stealthy dealers of broken dreams. Through meticulously crafted tales of promise, they weave webs that ensnare the unsuspecting.
This forum was not just a meeting; it was a collective reckoning organized by the International Organization for Migration. Rukia, respected and passionate, painted a vivid picture of a disconcerting reality—youth on perilous journeys from the rich soils of Kenya to the uncertain terrains of Libya. “Each story of trafficking is a tragic disruption of potential,” she lamented. But the underlying question remains, why are these stories still being penned?
At the heart of this sinister network lies a simple, albeit flawed, notion: grass is greener elsewhere. It’s a feedback loop of desperation and ambition, conflated by whispers of lavish opportunities abroad. “Friends, let’s hold fast to the wealth within our borders,” Rukia implored, her tone both urgent and sincere. The quest for greener pastures often leads families to the brink—selling land, liquidating assets—only to find their loved ones ensnared in a brutal cycle of captivity and demand for ransom. “What do wealth and success mean, if they cost you everything you love?” Rukia posed, her words leaving a thoughtful silence in their wake.
Another voice joined this crucial dialogue, that of Mohamed Noor Dahir, a respected elder from Iftin Ward. His presence was a testament to the community’s deep-rooted wisdom. “Many are lured by tales of a cost-free journey to lands of prosperity, sans passport or price,” he said, shaking his head slowly. One could almost hear the whisper of missed promises echoing through the tales of those who’ve fallen prey.
“It’s more than a geographic journey,” Dahir continued, “it’s the path from innocence to exploitation.” Children’s futures hijacked in a clandestine trade, sold lies about free passage to Europe or the United States, only to be funneled through harsh deserts and into Libya’s clutch. “Once captured, they’re recorded, their plight signed into horrid films of pain broadcasted home as ransom demands.” Dahir’s words weren’t just warnings, but an appeal to empathy and awareness.
These transactions, fueled by the ancient Hawala system, bypass the formalities of modern banking—anonymity shielding the trade’s invidious mechanics. Yet, hope endures, a tenacious light in the communal spirit led by individuals like Dekow Ahmed, Bulla Iftin’s devoted chief. “Our gatherings with security forces aren’t just ceremonies,” said Ahmed with a resolute grin. “They’ve armed our people with knowledge. With awareness, cases have diminished.”
Despite a darker backdrop of human smuggling, reform waves ripple through official channels. “The government has streamlined the process for legal travel documents. A national ID or passport isn’t just paper; it’s a ticket to lawful, safe exploration—and a rebuke to traffickers. Knowledge and caution are our shields,” Ahmed remarked, embodying the determination to forge a safe, lawful path forward for Garissa’s future generations.
The tale of Garissa is one of trials and triumphs, of threats transformed into calls for greater resolve. As the dialogue continues, one must ponder: How do we ensure this guidance transcends the forum, casting a protective veil over each dreamer, each family ready to claim their place in the world?
This is Rukia Mohamed’s clarion, an echo of vigilance and community empowerment, showing that even the most formidable walls of deception can be dismantled when people unite. Together, we can rewrite the narrative, replace false promises with tangible hopes, and watch Garissa’s youth soar without fear.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
