By: GLEN DON
This is according to the Kenyan constitution, "
“youth” means the collectivity of all individuals in the Republic who
have attained the age of eighteen years; but have not attained the age of thirty-five years." Article 260 of Kenyan Constitution 2010.
This is what the Kenyan constitution interpret the youth to be and this age bracket is not universal as other countries globally have variable age bracket for youth.
The youths therefore are adults though 'young' adults who since they have tickled the constitutional adulthood age of 18 years.
These are the most critical persons in the Kenyan sphere or maybe and other parts of the world.
In Kenya, whenever politicians stand up in crowds, their major concerns are youths. Ranging from job promise to health security promise.
As a way of building the credibility, the politicians ink their goodwill promises in their manifestos.
Insertions of the policies do not end up on papers but rather extends to public rallies, where youths always turns out in large number.
When we compare the previous manifestos for the politicians both of those who won and those who never clinched any position, they have youths discussed in their manifestos, if not jobs, then empowerment if not any of these, then they have that which is haptically affect youths directly or indirectly.
The sitting Government today, before they form part of the Government, they had youths at heart and that deduce why Hustler fund came into existence with the current government.
During their period of campaign, youths were the topic of discussion in rallies and manifestos.
The main reason why youths were the target is the tentative unemployment rate among youths.
Today, the Kenyan atmosphere is turning out to be furnace and no longer safe for the youths.
What they were promised by the Government has hit a dead end and they no longer benefit even from a fraction of the fruit.
We were promised jobs but sadness is that the job is being awarded to the sycophants, awarded on the "who knows you" or " where are you from " basis. T
Youths do not get the jobs they were promised.
The cost of living have skyrocketed and when they are in the streets, stray bullets are used to silence them.
Should they shy when called Kenyans since it is in their own countries where they are not being needed? Answer is automatically NO, then why is the Government becoming atrocious to the youths.
To date, the Government still come in defence of the police officers and lauding the kind of work they are doing and failing to bridle the powers exerted by them. Deaths are occurring but no one is there to defend, sad enough is when the deaths are as a result of stray bullets and not from the mob, at least two scores and a half lie in the hospitals nursing injuries gotten during the demonstrations by the police.
Article 260 entail the oaths taken by various respective office holder.
The President when was taking the oath of office swore to diligently protect the Republic of Kenya, discharge his duties and uphold justice without fear or ill-will.
"...that I will diligently discharge my duties and perform my functions in the Office of President/Acting President of the Republic of Kenya; and I will do justice to all in accordance with this Constitution, as by law established, and the laws of Kenya, without fear, favour, affection or ill-will..."
Now what is the image portrayed when killings takes place and no justice being served, protecting lives is the duty of the Government, and that it is only law enforcers or person recognized by the Constitution of Kenya to be in custody of firearms and ammunitions, these are the only people who are to be armed to protect ordinary citizens and citizens are not allowed to protect themselves or to be own-law enforcers, this is not the case as those who are mandated to do that are the ones who maim, torture and to some extent kills.
This is sad and this is 'Kenya for you.'
The Government should love its people without; gender biases, tribalistic stereotypes, inequality. That is why the Government is a unifying unit and there is no parallelism in Governance. This is why there is one President and Presidency as a symbol of National unity.
These are the same youths that the very politicians claim to be the "Viongozi wa kesho." Should we say the Government lacks faith in the citizens as the best future leaders? Unless they come and profess but wise man once said that " actions speak louder than words."
The same youths are still being lured to support some initiatives blindly because the so-called policies have got labels 'youths' in them, the continuum series are what keep the Government than implementations. "Ajira kwa vijana" is soundful but it only remains to be valid to ears but are not practical.
What do we call Ajira when the jobs itself is not being accorded to youths and number of unemployment rates at millions of youths not thousands, not million. In fact if such opportunities exist, there comes a phrase " age is just but a number" and youths end up getting menials or none and still we boast of 'vijana', ' nchi inategemea vijana.'
'Self employment' is the best way and the air is full teargas, and smokes from burnt tyres on roads, no transport going on, no security guaranteed, is this environment tranquil enough to start up business?
When we speak of self employment, tax is punitive and capital just elusive airs as getting loan is uphill task in some of the entities, we had hopes in Hustler fund but again many of these youths must live hence must sustain themselves at the expense of starting business.
Lost Hope.
1.33 million unemployed Kenyans give up on job search. Those aged between 20 and 29 easily give up in searching for jobs. This is according to data posted by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The some and majority of youths are losing hopes in job search to mean they are tired of searching for job at this tender age 'kutafuta kazi imekuwa kazi' to them. To whom should they find comfort in, when the Government itself cannot cushion them instead they are being told to 'tighten belts'. The society also tells them to harden because they are the future elders and they must not be weak, they have to learn how to be responsible. Who will console them and tell future is bright.
The same youths are being conned in either way, promise of job syndicate, getting a lot of money from betting or gambling. Report by Directorate of Criminal Investigations year 2021 indicated that jobless graduates were conned Ksh. 200 million in just 10months by a syndicate through the promise of jobs. The report had it that the lowest amount in from one job seeker was Ksh. 100,000 while the highest was Ksh. 768,000.
If the jobs were these youths could have not been conned, conning is happening year in year out, from one Government to the other, and promise of jobs is done in every year of campaign and those who win also have promise of jobs to youths but all end up in vacuum.
Today when we speak of empowering YOUTHS a lot needs to be done.
Empowerment digitally. So that they know how to consume internet contents or digital explorations.
Empowerment economically. So that the environment is set tranquiled for them to live and start up their business but because some may not venture into business alternatives must be availed.
Jobs to be offered on the merit not by deviating from ethics and morall values.
Empowerment socially and politically. What society tells the youths should be that of value not down looking or sidelining them. The youths should be given opportunity to exhaust their leadership skills without any barrier.
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