The uprising of the youth in Kenya, led by the GenZs, dismantled grandeur illusions of political power by the elite. Similar to the Mau Mau Movement in the 1950s, new political players have burst onto the scene with youthful energy, vibrancy and creativity. They are armed with the logic of the time-tested means of mass protests, taking over the streets and using social media as their arsenal.
However, while the youth, and other genuine political players in Kenya, are yet to find common ground and direction as a united force, the old and habitual political elite are regrouping. They are regrouping to take advantage of the waves of discontent in the country against the Kenya Kwanza Regime and their greedy bedfellows from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The lingering question, “What is to be done?”, famously posed by Vladmir Lenin during the Russian Revolution bares its fangs urgently at this point of movement crisis in Kenya and elsewhere on the African continent. The question has variously also been posed by the likes of Dedan Kimathi, the overall leader of the Mau Mau, Julius Nyerere, and other practical leaders of the people.
No one can lay claim to have a blueprint for the revolution. However, in the current revolutionary context in Kenya, there are some pointers that can guide the revolution out of the movement crisis.
Firstly, the fire of this revolution is in the court of the youth. The mission of this revolution should go beyond the short-sightedness of the feuding political elite whose express agenda is to replace the figureheads of the ruling regime with themselves – similar cabals of corruption, exploitation and impunity. The mission of the revolution is to bring about a fundamental change of the status quo. This entails bringing fresh and untainted leadership that would smash the neo-colonial state and institute people first and people-centred leadership.
Secondly, power is never given on a silver platter. It’s claimed and seized. This was articulated well by Frederick Douglass, the American anti–slavery abolitionist when he said “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” The youth in Kenya, have the ability, resources and power to seize the moment.
Thirdly, there should be a convergence of radical youth, and those from other generations, who have consistently struggled against the status quo.
Fourth, hopes for the new republic in Kenya should not be forged on a messianic figure, and lone ranger tactics. It should be forged by a team of dedicated servants of the people whose leadership will only be first among equals who will serve the country on behalf of the oppressed masses. Anyone who is fronting as a messiah, or exhibiting some lone ranger poses, should be shunted aside. Such a person is likely to end up as a dictator, or a dealer in various forms that entrench the status quo, including local and foreign commercial interests. The new republic should be led by a leader who works in a team to lead the masses towards a future of promise, health and wealth. Such a team of leaders, and the one who emerges as the overall leader should come out of the active struggles of the people. True and genuine leaders of the people often emerge in the process of the struggle. For the left in Kenya, the revolutionary movement would be radical and meaningful when based on the pillars of anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, Pan Africanism and feminism.
Contributions in this issue of Ukombozi Review continues to exemplify and to ground the mission of a revolutionary uprising against the status quo in Kenya. Karibuni to the 21st issue of Ukombozi Review.
Comradely.
Njuki Githethwa
Managing Editor
