Mombasa, KENYA: Curios traders in Oldtown Mombasa are urging the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Arts to move to the grassroots level to nurture talents so as to to keep the young people away from criminal activities.
Speaking to Baraka FM on Friday, Nicodemus Gishia a curio dealer in old Town,said the move will ensure that the jobless youth are engaged while ensuring the African Heritage is preserved for future generations.
“Our country has a variety of cultures that attracts both local and foreign tourists. ” Gishia said
In regards to the various security travel warnings given by western governments most recently by the US government in January, Nicodemus said their businesses had been vastly affected.
Kamau Ngige a domestic tourist in the other hand thinks that facilitating of the curio traders through loans and grants will help boost the industry.
“I thank the government for tightening security at the Old Town area especially the Ndia Kuu Street. “He said
The Curios in Kenya contains a diverse collection of wood carvings of all shapes and sizes.
The business provides job opportunities to many families which earn a living from the making of curios.
Curios carvers make various products from local and imported materials.
Some of their products include leather made belts; Akala sandals, wood carvings, and beads, as well as fabricated clothes with Kenyan flag colors.
