For a better future, youth should  vote in sincere, visionary leaders

Although the next General Election is still slightly more than a year away, from the look of things, the campaigns have already begun. But what is the role of the youth in shaping Kenya’s political landscape?

This is the issue Raphael Obonyo  tackles in his book, Conversations About the Youth in Kenya, which was launched in February this year. He looks at the youth’s participation in the democratic space and nation building, pointing out the challenges they face and how their participation could help create opportunities that benefit them. 

As a country, Kenya will have only itself to blame if tough questions about the role of the youth in national development are not asked, Obonyo says, adding that  it is regrettable that Kenyan youths complain about issues that affect them yet squander opportunities to influence the election of people who share their aspirations.

He notes that over the years, the political class has used young people to add to their voter numbers. This only leaves the youth crying over empty promises about  employment creation, reduced cost of living and a good business environment, says Obonyo, who is the convener of the Youth Congress of Kenya, a non-governmental organisation that promotes youth leadership and participation in governance and development.

Kenyan youths miss out on such opportunities because they do not vote in an informed manner. …The youth have not crafted strategies to participate effectively in elections to influence policies …,” he writes.

SWING VOTE

Mr Ezra Chiloba, the chief executive officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) concurs. “The obvious one is the quality of leaders we vote into office. If we vote in the wrong people, we get the wrong results,” he says. “This means that if the youth vote in people for the wrong reasons, they have  no reason to question the policy outcomes in future.”

“The youth who participate in voter bribery have no reason to question the corrupt leaders their actions take to office. We cannot vote on a tribal basis and expect to build a united and cohesive nation we all desire,” Chiloba asserts, adding that politically conscious youths must ask themselves where their  future lies, and invest accordingly.  

Notably, the youth have not made much use of their huge numbers at the ballot box to shape political, and socio-economic decisions. Nearly 80 per cent of the Kenyan population is aged 35 years and below. This is an entire “constituency” that can participate meaningfully in elections.

However, the youth allow themselves to be used as the “swing vote” by  politicians, as Obonyo notes: “To the political class, the youth seem to exist only as voting banks … the youth are only valued as a swing vote after the tribal votes, and are especially required to coalesce around tribes.”

Obonyo says elections have a serious impact, especially if the youth waste the opportunity to get the right people into leadership. “The youth seem to miss the point that without getting the right people into leadership positions, Kenya cannot move forward,” he says.

The fact that Kenyan youth do not see the direct link between politics and their general wellbeing is matter of concern, Chiloba says.

However, due to lack of national identity cards, lack of interest in politics and inadequate education on how to vote, the youth have failed to make the much- needed leap forward. This was witnessed during this year’s voter registration in March. Only about 1.4 million new voters came out to register, compared with the IEBC’s anticipated  4 million, the  majority of whom were expected to be the youth.

Indeed, Chiloba confirms that 70 per cent of the applicants were between the ages of 18 and 35.

Obonyo further argues that the government and its agencies, non-governmental organisations, as well as religious and learning institutions, have not created enough awareness among the youth as to why they should vote. “We are not reaching out to young people to see the connection between voting and their lives,” he notes.

The IEBC is keen to ensure that the young people who did not register in March  are given another opportunity. “The next registration will be early next year,” he points out. To reach out to the youth, the IEBC will launch youth-specific campaigns by targeting university and college students, exploiting pop culture to reach urban youths, and have social media campaigns.

As this is happening, Kenya has the most youthful senate in Africa and the most youthful National Assembly in the country’s history. But the youth in the country still face a host of challenges, including unemployment, limited access to entrepreneurship opportunities, limited access to credit for setting up businesses, lack of technical skills needed in the job market and a higher vulnerability to HIV/Aids.

This has negatively affected their socio-economic situation and prospects. “Having young people in Parliament is not a need, but rather, leaders who have a bold vision for the youth and this country,” Obonyo says.

In addition to the massive unemployment, the youth are a disillusioned lot. According to the latest World Bank report, nearly one in every five Kenyan between the ages of 15 and 29 is jobless. This paints a grim picture of many young people with no source of income and no future to look forward to, which has in turn affected the way they look at elections.

“A majority of the youth feel that voting in new leaders might not guarantee them that jobs will be created. That is why we see them running into the streets over issues between politicians and the IEBC, issues that they do not even understand,” Obonyo says. 

GOOD LEADERSHIP

This general apathy among the youth towards a matter that determines the direction that their lives take every five years recently attracted the attention of the US Embassy in Nairobi. Mid last month, the US Embassy, in partnership with the IEBC, initiated the niShowPower, a new youth voter-registration and information campaign. “niShowPower (show me your power) encourages young Kenyans  to take part in their democracy by registering to vote and pledging to refrain from violence,” says US Ambassador Bob Godec.

“#niShowPower is a platform that is intended to reach out to as many young people as possible, says Chiloba. “I see the programme as an opportunity to raise democratic consciousness among the youth, and translating that into meaningful participation. For us, voter education and registration are the entry points,” he says. The programme was launched Nairobi but will be rolled out across the country.

The participation of the youth in elections is critical to the future of the country, says Ambassador Godec. Good laws and good policies come as a result of good leadership he says. “That is why you need to engage yourselves meaningfully in the electoral process. You matter.  Your voice matters.  Register and vote!” Godec urges the youth. 

Noting that violence during elections has  no place in the 21st century, Ambassador Godec cautions young people against the vice and tells them to stop thinking in terms of tribe, political party, or even religion.

His sentiments are shared by Obonyo: “We are the future and need not destroy it. Let us work towards improving on our future,” he appeals to the youth.

Similarly, Chiloba says that the youth are Kenya’s future; the median age is 19 years.

“This means that all social, economic and political processes in the country must treat youth development as a priority. The youth can influence these processes by actively participating in the electoral process. Your vote is your voice,” says Chiloba.

“The youth should go beyond political manifestos and question whether a candidate’s record demonstrates that they can  mainstream youth-friendly policies. This is especially with regard to job creation, access to credit and business opportunities, lowered cost of living and HIV/Aids awareness,” says Obonyo.

Similarly, Chiloba says, to make informed choices, the youth must question political parties and candidates. “What does this political party or candidate stand for? What policy ideas does a political party or candidate present to us? Will they, if implemented, make Kenya better? Will they promote the interests of young people?” are crucial questions.

Kenyan youth should realise that the leaders that they vote in determine their lives for the next five years and beyond. “The youth  have to stop looking at elections as an event, but rather, as a serious leadership and governance process that will impact on their lives and the economy,” Obonyo says.

So their role in politics and governance does not end at the ballot box. They should be active during budget hearings at the national and county levels. “They should find less costly means of tracking expenditures by county and national governments and be able to express their observations,” Chiloba says.

If there are any concerns about  budgetary or policy issues, they can file a petition. The Constitution provides for these and other avenues through which all Kenyans can participate in governance and hold their political leaders accountable.

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About the author

RAPHAEL OBONYO holds Masters degree in public policy from Duke University in the United States, a Bachelor of commerce in finance from the University of Nairobi, and a diploma in project management from the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM). He is a Ford Foundation Fellow.

He has served in various capacities in different United Nations agencies, the World Bank and the Global Diplomatic Forum.

Obonyo says that he was inspired to write the book by two things: First, his personal passion to give every young person a chance to realise their potential.  “In the book, I discuss the opportunities open to the youth and what we should  tap into as a country to make progress. The book seeks to provide creative solutions to some of the challenges that the Kenyan Youth face.

“Secondly, I am convinced that youth have to tell their own story – about possibilities and their worth, vision and values. There are over 35 million people in Kenya who are under 35 years that is about 80 percent of the population. That, to me, is exciting, as I have seen the great things young people are capable of doing. I draw hope from these young Kenyans.”

  Obonyo cites a host of studies and situations highlighted in the media to explain what he proposes the government and policy makers could do to tap into the youth’s potential.

  Obonyo rose from a humble background in the Korogocho slums in Nairobi to become Africa’s representative to the World Bank’s Global Coordination Board of the Global Youth Anti-corruption Network. He has received many awards and also been nominated for the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award.

  He has been named one of the emerging world leaders by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

  Since 2012, he has been serving as the external adviser on the UN Habitat’s Youth Advisory Board.

  In 2015 he was named one of the most inspirational youths in Africa.

  The 60-page book comprises his observations on the ills affecting the youth and expounds on the  articles that he has written in the Daily Nation.