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Fellow Kenyan Youths, it is no longer in contention that elections are paramount features of democratic processes anywhere in the world. This is because an election outcome produces leadership, which invariable during its administration determines the direction of a society and the well being of her citizenry. Its 2007 and elections are here again. Something historical is in the offing in Kenya. Whether we know it or not, the 2007 Elections and Transition from this government to another democracy is set to usher a new paradigm shift in our national life. Kenya will never be the same again. Power will shift from over 70s to the under 60s to say the least. Therefore, the roles of young people in the elections and democratic processes is very critical and crucial. As youths we are also strategic stakeholders in the Kenyan Nation. We are a powerful constituency and must get involved in a more strategic way. One of which is to begin to negotiate for space in the emerging Kenya by engaging the emerging leaders of the emerging Kenya before the 2007 elections.
Before elections:
• Politicians court and praise youths
• Candidates ride with youths in buses, visit them in football fields and address them
• Politicians promise free and better education
• Candidates reply our letters and take our calls
• Politicians make promises and promises
• Candidates give youths T-shirts, face caps, bags of salt for our mothers and lunch money after rallies
• Politicians say the votes of the youths are needed and very important to them
But after the elections, especially when they do win:
• They become too busy to meet with the youths
• They fly in airplanes, drive in motorcades and tinted glass jeeps and attend cocktail parties
• They send their children to schools overseas
• They hardly reply our letters or return our calls
• The promises become slogans until the next Four years when they return for our votes again
• They build mansions, give their friends inflated contracts and are caught with millions of dollars at international airports
• Youths become too young to be consulted and involved on public policy
But the times have since changed! Youths have realized that it is their duty to demand to know from the emerging leaders what they have for the youths in very concrete terms should they assume positions of power. When they also emerge, youths shall have a credible document with which to engage the new government on youth development in Kenya. And to do this, dynamic young people are ready to put pressure on themselves to give voice and visibility to youth issues in Kenya and to also ensure success of the 2007 elections.
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Ken Auma
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