Youth and Peaceful Elections in Kenya

Chapter One: Youth As Leaders in Kenya: Transforming Society By Building Bridges

Chapter One Youth As Leaders: Transforming Society By Building Bridges Kimani Njogu …if the democratic system is based on election, the public has to be more conscious as to who they elect because their vote is sacred. And that capacity to mobilize the population towards participation is a very broad avenue, which we have not pursued, which we have not managed to travel. Hopefully there are young people now who are going to motivate others so they might go down this road… It’s one where the people arise and vote and elect a person who will leave a precedent in the histories of native peoples. There is a key thing we must cultivate aside from our participation, and that is to take pride in our successes. There are successes… on the part of young people, and by women. (Rigoberta Menchú Tum –Quoted in Zajonc, 2006). I do think the best way for young people to gain confidence in themselves – because we are afraid and we all lack confidence – the best way to do that is to reach out to someone else and work together on a project, or help someone else in some way. Then you rise out of your own ego and you are serving people around you ( Adolf Perez Esquivel, 2006). Introduction In December 2012, three radio Disk Jockeys (DJs) went on hunger strike for six days while broadcasting at the GlassHouse non-stop in order to promote a peaceful electoral process. The Ghetto Radio presenters – Mbusi, Sollo, and Essie - did this under the theme ‘V V V V Vote4P ote4P ote4P ote4P ote4Peace eace eace eace eace V V V V Vote4K ote4K ote4K ote4K ote4Kenya enya enya enya enya’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ahead of the elections slated for March 4, 2013. This is part of the station’s annual Serious Request Kenya campaign.The youth in the Ghetto radio station are providing leadership and charting a way for the future of Kenya. This action by Ghetto radio points to a persistent and feverish anxiety in the country courtesy of a national Youth as Leaders: Transforming Society by Building Bridges 3 4 Youth and Peaceful Elections in Kenya leadership that has over the years supervised misuse of public institutions for personal aggrandizement. Indeed, over the last four decades or so there has been a crisis of leadership in Kenya and it is becoming extremely urgent to nurture, grow and harvest a youth leadership that embodies values such as integrity, inclusiveness and trust in the conduct of public affairs as we embark on the journey towards democratic practices and sustainable socio-economic processes. Currently Kenya, the economic giant of East Africa, is undergoing a difficult period in its history brought about by rampant unemployment among the youth, insecurity and threats of terrorist attacks, endemic corruption, unaccountable public officers, political and social violence, poverty in rural areas and informal urban settlements, lack of faith in governance institutions, and ethnic tensions. But these challenges can be ameliorated and resolved through a review of local and national leadership. In order to reduce inequalities, anchor the ideals of democracy and entrench peace, justice and reconciliation, it is imperative that a new leadership that is committed to service and social transformation courageously steps forward to take charge of rebuilding the country. But this new leadership must be willing to listen deeply to its inner self and to others. When we engage in active listening, we see the disharmony and feel the pain and anxiety around us. We are also able to experience glimpses of hope and optimism, even if momentarily. The violence that exploded in Kenya in late December 2007 and January 2008 following the disputed 2007 presidential election results was shocking as thousands of people were killed, maimed and displaced; property worth millions destroyed and many families rendered destitute. Hundreds of Kenyans are still living outside the country and there are internally displaced persons in camps five years later. The post election violence was, without doubt, the culmination of years of tension related to access to state power and control of state resources as well as weak governance institutions including the judiciary and electoral bodies. Following the widespread violence and under the aegis of the African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities (PEAP), chaired by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, a four-part Agenda was put together by the representatives of the contending parties; namely, Party of National Unity (PNU)/Government under the leadership of Mwai Kibaki and the...