One of Africa’s greatest literature models once depicted an accurate account of what befalls most African countries. He wrote, ‘When your fat civil servants and urban employees of public corporations match on May Day, .. hardly do they realize that in the real context of Africa today they are not the party of the oppressed but of the oppressor. For they are the very comrades who preside over the sabotage of the nation by their unproductivity and fraud, and that way ensure that the benefits of modern life will ever remain outside the dreams of the real victims of exploitation in rural villages’. Kenya, the moral and democratic darling of the region is witnessing peaceful demonstrations, the infiltration by goons whose sole intention to cause chaos notwithstanding. At the forefront of this movement are the fearless youth, the Gen Zs, who are relentless in their demand for accountability and justice. Their outspokenness, fueled by frustrations over the proposed finance bill, is warranted by the pervasive injustices within our systems.
Among the most pertinent questions that ring true is “What next?” What comes after all the demonstrations both online and offline? Will the society stand to be heard or will this movement fade into memory like many before it? In hindsight, our society has shown a tendency to adapt to governance systems that are detrimental and to our peril, often with little resistance. However, it is impressive that this current movement led by the youth has inspired widespread introspection and scrutiny of governance, demanding accountability, to break the pervasive corruption that looms over and cripples nearly every sector of our country and is damaging to our collective well-being (livelihood). And whilst the future remains uncertain, one thing clear is that this pressure for accountability and responsibility is poised to benefit us in the long term, both personally and collectively. After all, it is said that society is an extension of an individual.
A different model is possible and the existing tension between ‘cash’ and ‘care’ should be one of the central concerns in the design of social policy. Should our representatives adopt inclusive and participatory governance styles, the ‘what next’ could see the youth be actively involved in decision-making processes, with their views being taken into account and their concerns forming a crucial part of the national debate, similar to the roles and status given to the church and other religious actors. Potential frameworks lie in, and are not limited to, areas such as youth advisory boards, mentorship programs, inclusivity in policy making and support for youth-led initiatives in ministries. Additionally, legal and institutional reforms should prioritize youth participation, and reliable feedback channels be established. Tech-driven initiatives should also represent a larger focus on the youth engagement.
The status quo, once a benchmark for stability and comfort, need not dictate our future. Whilst we may accept limitations on our outreach, experience and naivety, we must never accept restrictions on our thinking and the possibilities it brings.
