Ms Jacqueline Mugo, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE)
representative joined Mr Francis Atwoli of the Central Organisation on
Trade Unions (Cotu) in questioning the manner in which such a large
expense was approved through e-mail. PHOTO/FILE
"The freedom and human capacities of individuals must be developed to their maximum, but individual powers must be linked to democracy in the sense that social betterment must be the necessary consequence of individual flourishing". - Henry Giroux
The current administration
came to power with huge youth support under the slogan of digital
empowerment, which in essence was a euphemism of getting the youth to
identify with the UhuRuto duo. The youth did identify with them and they
did vote for them.
I recall the humble charm
offensive that was pioneered online through tweets, Facebook updates and
Google hangouts. The duo showed a humility that serenaded the youth to
believe in them. As a youth, I believed too, for I thought, here were
leaders who could tweet and engage on matters policy and factor in my
views. Well, the digital slogan seemed to have pulled the wool over many
eyes.
UNEMPLOYMENT
It’s
like the youth were the rubber stamp that the duo needed to ensure that
they clinched the presidency. Now that they did, the youth are nowhere
to be seen. A discarded rag would fare better, since it would be hung
out to dry to be used again once it’s done mopping the floor.
The
stench of unemployment, increasing crime, biting food shortages and a
leadership that is arrogant beyond the antics of King Julian in Penguins
of Madagascar mean the youth are like a rudderless plane. All the youth
leaders that seemed to have spear-headed the campaign, have either
acclimatized to the comfort and charms of power and the good life, or
simply sought survival in their own counties.
According
to the 2009 census, the youth population is at least 60 per cent of the
44 million or so Kenyans. Of this number, 68 per cent are unemployed,
creating the perfect environment for crime, corruption and immorality to
flourish.
These three issues have not been
addressed by the UhuRuto duo as they continue to charm us, with the
Deputy President telling us that we should not be picky with work as
they reward their cronies and poll losers with plum jobs.
WASHING CARS
Ruto
effectively contends that jobs like digging trenches, washing cars,
tending to government gardens and landscaping are what suit us better as
they dish out the plum ones to those they know will serve just their
interests. His speech in Eldoret left a bitter taste in my mouth.
One
of the great liabilities of history, said Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr,
is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods
of social change .This government had the goodwill necessary to deliver
on the great promises they made to us during the campaigns.
Kenyans
had so much hope, but almost a year down the road, the populace,
especially the youth are more disillusioned and angst-ridden, to the
extent that this administration is looking more and more one-term by the
day. The most hurtful bit is the intellectuals of Kenya have opted to
sleep, missing a great social change in our history.
Martin
Luther King also said that every society has its protectors of status
quo and its fraternities of the indifferent, who are notorious for
sleeping through revolutions, and that survival depends on our ability
to stay awake, adjust to new ideas, remain vigilant and face the
challenge of change.
The sycophants and advisors with
vested interests have put wool over eyes as they maintain the status quo
to ensure that they keep benefitting as we the youth beg for crumbs
from the King’s court.
WAIT TWENTY YEARS
If you analyse online conversations, dissent is no longer in hushed tones but open market debates.
It feels like the 60’s. Actually, if you have any opinion that is contrary to theirs, then wait twenty years for your turn.
In
essence, the president is saying you either agree with him you shut up
and wait 20 years when the Jubilee train will have run its course.
Eduardo Galeano
once said that he didn't believe in charity, but in
solidarity. “Charity is so vertical. It goes from the top to the bottom.
Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to
learn from other people.”
The charity of funds in
questionable projects that are not permanent wealth creation for us
youth is a delay tactic to have us tethered to their charm till 2016
when they will come up with a different narrative to entrap us again.
Regarding the
appointment of Muthaura, I am in support for three reasons; he is not a
political reject, he has wide experience that the project needs, and he
has a clean, corruption- free CV. However, all other appointments that
have gone to political rejects are a slap in our faces as youth. We
rejected for a reason. Bringing them back says a lot in terms of just
how the duo intends to deals with us.
Honestly am tired
of being called the leader of tomorrow as the likes of Waititu who lost
at the polls get appointed. We have competent youth who can deliver
better, and on a cheaper salary scale.
We want the
chance and opportunity to hold the reins of various state firms because
we believe this government needs project managers, who are low on talk
and high on action to deliver.
It’s not the purpose of
government to create jobs for us youth, but it’s the duty of government
to create the right environment that will spur and nurture investments,
entrepreneurship and networks from which jobs will emerge for the
millions of youth. Youth, to quote Sholem Asch,
has the resilience to absorb disaster and weave it into the pattern of
its life, no mater how anguishing the thorn that penetrates its flesh.
The
UhuRuto duo must address this issue of unemployment, and they must
realize that we will rise above tribalism to ensure that this time round
no politician takes advantage of us.
Twitter: @sokoanalyst
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