Are Kenyan youths ready to take over leadership of this country

1. After the promulgation of the new constitution in August 27th 2010, there is a collectively new yawn of
change of leadership at all levels- from the county wards, constituencies, counties and nationally.
Everyone is crying out loud for change of guard. But the big question remains, Do we the youth of this
beloved country have the moral pedigree to take over the mantle of leadership from the incumbencies?
In our current parliament we have youthful leaders yet they do not think as such. They have fallen into
the dungeons of the old guard and danced to their tunes. Every often we here of MP’s being bribed so
as certain acts and motions can pass. House committee reports have been rejected, altered and
defeated to suit personal interests yet none of the young turks is raising eyebrows about the issues. Our
parliament as David Makali puts it , has become a lapdog of special interests, a forum for settling
political scores, a den for fixing deals and a platform for trading away public interests for personal gains.
A example case is last night’s( Wednesday 20th June) parliamentary amendments to the electoral laws.
Most of the insidious amendments were introduced by youthful Mp’s, the likes of Isaac Ruto, Danson
Mungatana, Mutava Musyimi, and even Mandera central’s Abdikadir Mohammed statement that
downplayed CIC’s role in the constitution implementation policy.
But the question still persists, what really constitutes the youth as fresh innovative ideas and visionary
leadership does not always define those of us who fall under the youth’s age bracket. Look at our
campus politics how they are played; dirty, tribal, corrupt, greedy. For instance the University of
Nairobi’s SONU leadership has over the years lost its credibility, voice and no one really listens to it
anymore. Why, the elected leaders only set themselves to misuse the Sonu funds, enrich themselves at
the mercies of needy and penury students who need the money. Where are the days of James Orengo,
Mwandawiro Mghanga and Kabando wa Kabando when the student leadership participated in debating
National issues, policies and promoting democracy.
Its us the young people who acted at the behest of the old guard in the post election violence, which
was succeeded by paroxysms of violence, that left in its wake 1133 dead and over 600000 displaced.
We have over 20 million young people in this country but we only need a few who can stand up and
really proclaim, “Its our time to bring sobriety to the leadership of this nation.” For those who have
already done so I salute you, the likes of Catherine who is vying for the Women representative seat in
Nyeri county, Big Kev for the initiatives that you have been part of to engage the youth in leadership
activities and many others out there who in their own small ideal ways have fought the fight of asserting
themselves in the country’s leadership.
As we approach the general elections let the old guard know that the youth is watching, its alert, of the
decisions that Kenya is making. We will commit ourselves that this country does not fall to the
precipitation of war again, the greedy will not continue dipping hands in the cookie jar that has sullied
the name of this country and that only leaders that are envisioned in chapter 6 of our constitution are
elected to office.
The jury is still out there whether the youth can competently take over the national leadership and
provide a clean break from the past. Meanwhile, those of us who have devoted to ensure the ordeal
takes place, we will continue with the struggle.