A recent survey conducted by Aga
Khan East Africa Institute sent waves across the country with its findings. The
gist of it, or what stood out the most was the fact that a majority of Kenyan youth
are okay with making money by any means provided one is not caught
should some of those means be illegal. From this conclusion, logic demands that
we keep the youth away from public funds as much as possible, if what is
happening at the youth development fund is anything to go by. But is that
really the solution to the erosion of our society that has pervaded our young
minds?
I think not. Perhaps the solution lies in allowing the youth to have a
significant voice in how they are governed. This can only happen once young
leadership is taken seriously in Kenya.
Below are a number of reasons why it is
of paramount importance to immerse the youth in the governing processes of the
country and most especially the leadership.
A
delicate balance between idealism and realism.
Young people from teenage hood to
early adulthood tend to be idealistic. They recognize the problems facing the
world and they have grandiose often unrealistic ideas on how these problems can
be solved. Youth who have attained the age of vying for elective political
positions are bound to have attained a certain level of realism that would
allow them to formulate and contribute to the laws of the country. Older people
tend to lack some idealism which dims the political will to introduce change
since they tend to accept things as they are. Young leaders will offer the much
needed delicate balance between the two extremes of idealism and realism.
Young
people are more receptive to change.
A lot plagues our country from
graft, to poverty to bad leadership. Young people tend to be more flexible as
far as initiating and adapting to change is concerned. They refuse to accept
the status quo especially if it is retrogressive. There is no doubt that a lot
needs to change in the way we govern our country for the sake of all Kenyans.
Who is better than the youth to advocate for their fellow young people and
initiate the rest of the country into an era of good, reliable governance.
They
are the best poised to address issues affecting the youth socially,
economically and politically.
No one understands the issues
affecting the youth as much as the youth themselves. Older people may argue
that they were once young hence they are just as equipped to address youth
issues. Unfortunately, this claim is not entirely accurate. The older
generation and the younger ones are living in different circumstances and facing
very different challenges especially socially, politically and economically.
During President Daniel Arap Mois' regime, young people in universities had a significant
voice in political matters. Perhaps they had a greater vested interest or
political will. It is for this reason that more young people need to get into
political leadership so as to make other young people politically vested.
Young
leadership allows government to take advantage of new innovations and
technologies.
Young people have an easier way
of communicating with one another. Should more youth get into leadership
opportunities, young innovative Kenyans may feel more at ease about approaching
the government with their innovations since they know that their young
representatives will give those innovations the excitement and attention they
deserve. The youth also tend to be more open to technological strides. With Kenya’s
intent to become a digital nation, taking advantage of youth leadership will be
to everyone’s advantage.
Investing
in young leaders increases their knowledge and practical skills, strengthening
their social interest and nurturing long-term commitment to entrepreneurship
and creative health solutions.
If Kenyans expect better leaders
who make better choices for the future, we need to start investing now by
providing the youth with opportunities that nurture good leadership and result
oriented qualities.
Youth
participation guarantees sustainable dialogue, mutual respect and understanding
of young people’s needs and a shared vision for action.
The youth need to be involved in
policy making particularly in issues that affect them such as economic
policies, education and health; when viewed in perspective, you realize that
youth are affected by every facet of nation building. Through inclusive
leadership we allow for different strategies in dealing with the youth as
compared to other groups so as to adequately meet the needs of all citizens.
Ensures
the future generation is equipped with competencies necessary for strong
leadership.
With the current challenges that Kenya
is facing especially as pertaining to graft and misconduct in public offices,
involving the youth now rather than later allows for consistent action in
fighting against graft and adoption of strong leadership practices by the youth
which can then be passed on to future generations.
Economical
factors
A study conducted by the World
Bank in 2008 showed that the GDP of a country declines when its youth are not
active participants in the society. Active participation should be political,
social and economical as all these issues are intertwined in ensuring the
sustainable development of a country and its ability to compete with other
middle and higher income countries.
Its
about time
Kenyans need to stop talking and
simply act in involving the youth in leadership. The youth also need to rise up
and demand for space in the country’s leadership instead of waiting for the
opportunities to be handed to them.
Disclaimer: some of the ideas
expressed in this article have been borrowed from
