Youth and Professionals in the political context

Kenya stands in a desperate need for leadership if we are ever going to turn our country around and pull it from the brink. Leadership is not about position but influence. We in Kenya make the mistake of looking at this or that person in expectation that they shall bring about change. But each of us is in a position to influence two or three people at the workplace and at home on a daily basis. If we utilized these opportunities wisely we would herald the change we crave much faster. Instead we all wait to become presidents before we can lead. In so doing we focus so much attention on the presidency while neglecting our own power to influence positive change that we ironically end up empowering the very office we complain is too powerful.

Kenya is close to that point where young people will be able to tip the balance and bring about change. Young proffessionals have a vital role in providing the leadership necessary to focus all this youthful energy toward the desired outcomes and stop it from becoming a destructive force.

Young professionals have another role to play in this country. I believe the struggle against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting. Part of the reason why change has been so long coming in Kenya is that our society lacks a collective memory. The ruling elite has perfected the art of starting fires to divert attention knowing that they can count on us to start fighting the particular fire and forget what happened before. Our media has failed to constantly remind us where we have come from and who has played what role in our history-both ancient and contemporary. This has meant that the politicians can say one thing today and another tomorrow knowing that nobody will call them to account. Young professionals must start urgently restoring Kenya's collective memory. No matter what your profession, we all have a role in doing this, for without understanding our past we cannot confidently march into the future.



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