Indeed, to be a child of Africa, it truly means you have to be aware of the many different constituencies there are, and most importantly, learn how honesty and truth must always depend on context, says Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Youth – young, blooming, fresh, vibrant. This is that stage in life where, if you had the time, you would have the time of your life. In Kenya, youths are identified as persons between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years. It is estimated that they make up seventy five percent of the population. Hence it is safe to say that the future of the country lies with them and, through their numbers they can shape the nations’ trajectory. Indeed, they are a common wealth to the entire world for no nation can prosper without the input from its youth.
Over the years however, laws enacted have ended up benefiting those in power while making the livelihood of Kenyans unbearable. The voters undergo this unending cycle of interactions with schemers who promise them the moon but end up delivering hot air. They conceal their thoughts, brainwash their minds and tell them what they think they want to hear. Their behaviour and the corresponding behaviour of citizens have one thing in common; short-sightedness. They all focus on the momentary satisfaction of selfish greed or needs, and this art of deception by schemers, otherwise known as politicians, has reached a point where even the ‘common mwananchi’ cannot truly say what or whom they truly believe in and trust.
In the end, the politicians always end up getting their wish, and as a result, there has been a continuous decline in the economy, spiked rates in unemployment, rise in the cost of living and misappropriation of public funds. Money meant for development has been deviated for personal gains, further widening the gap between the rich and powerful and the poor and powerless.
Citizens are always constantly asking the government to come to their aid even when the same government is the real culprit.
Throughout the years, the persistent deplorable state of the economy and the abject poverty levels have sparked notable activism against the government over the years and saw the emergence of young leaders like Pio Gama Pinto and Tom Mboya who dared to stand against a failed system. Their voices were however silenced before they could reach the masses, and those who have tried following their steps have had their lights dimmed and their journeys cut short.
Currently, we are witnessing a generation shift, with the new crop of young, vibrant generation of Kenyans (Gen Z) acting as agents of change and transformation. They are slowly but surely morphing the society into fearless, tribeless warriors, ready to stand up for their rights and champion for better governance.
‘Kuna siku youths wataunganaa!’ There will come a time when the youths shall unite! And truly, lo and behold on that day, the 25th of June,2 024, when young, leaderless and fearless patriots stormed and occupied the Parliament buildings, the nation was brought to a standstill. The ground shook under the weight of their marching feet as their voices reverberated across the whole country. The power of a united youth was in full show as the world watched in silence. Their mission clearly stated ‘Anguka Nayo’ Dismantle the walls of privilege and oppression, bring change and have fun while at it. A revolt had begun and as Jane Goodall, rightly put it, ‘if young people are informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world.’ The relentless young citizens were determined to liberate the country at whatever cost.
However, their acts of defiance and patriotism was met with violence from the state and police. Officers were deployed quickly and started dispersing the crowd, they threw teargas canisters at the protesters, forcing them to scamper like cornered rats into different directions, leaving behind traces of blood.
Injustice became law that day as officers shot live bullets indiscriminately, killing seventy souls in the process, while scores were left nursing bullet wounds. A day that had begun with lots of hope and expectations, ended up filled with gloom and lots of tears.
It was a historic day, forever engraved in the Kenyan calendar of resistance, while to others, it was the day that marked the beginning of a traumatic nightmare. Families were left shattered that day as members grappled with unimaginable pain of the loss of their promising family members.
It is actually brutal in uncompromising moments, to reflect on the atrocities committed on unarmed, defenceless, Kenyans articulating their grievances over the years.
Nevertheless, the atrocious, inhumane and heinous acts in June had a silver lining as the protests have birthed a movement. A national consciousness. A cry for justice. A movement seeking to bring people of different ethnic backgrounds to live as one.
‘Zakayo lazima ashuke!’ Ruto must go! The youths chant defiantly and refuse to accept the situation as a just and unalterable arrangement. They seek to end the tyrannical leadership. And they all have a vision, a vision that puts light in their eyes, and they are determined to never stop until the things that are tragic and blinding in their eyes are reversed. They claim their movement is a prolonged cry of the people and they are adamantly saying enough is enough. Enough with the cocoon of tribal politics, enough with the ethnic divisions, enough with the killings and abductions. The nation is bleeding, we either patch it up now sooner rather than later or else it will be too late.
Let us transform from the politics of activism and big rallies and shift into the politics of development. Instead of moaning endlessly about bad governance, it is time the whole society took part in running the state.
Comrades viva ! Now is time the youth become empowered and trusted with governance. It is time the country moved away from the patriarchal mindset that dictates only the old can lead.
The youth seem relentless in their push and it beg the question: Has the hour of redemption finally come? Will this revolt by the new generation end in a revolution or will it prove to be another case of so little done and still yet so much left to do?
Only time will tell.
