Former commissioner at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dr Roselyn Akombe, at the dawn of New Year, took to social media to address the young people in a post that is undoubtedly motivating.
Akombe impelled the youths to take advantage of their energy to better their lives and the country by being proactive unlike her generation, which she says 'squandered' their opportunity.
"This is your decade. We squandered ours and many more decades before. We reasoned that if only we lay low and worked hard. If only we studied hard and accumulated degrees. If only we remained professional and stuck to our lines of work. Things would change, our leaders would fix the problems," she said.
Akombe regretted that her generation had decided to fight for constitutional changes but they pulled back immediately due to intimidation and left the task to other parties.
"When we mustered a little courage and had running battles with the police for a new Katiba, we retreated to the boardrooms and conference rooms. And trusted our elders to implement it and protect it. We were wrong," she posted.
Akombe noted the current generation was suffering due to inaction and mistakes of past generations, such as environmental degradation and culture of pursuit of profits at the expense of public welfare.
"I and my age group let our environment be plundered. I and my age group sought private solutions to public problems- private schools, private hospitals, private parks, private beaches... We abated the transfer of public goods to the 8000; And crumbs for the rest."
"I and my age group joined a workforce that maximized profits and passed the losses to the public. I and my age group thought that we could join rotten systems and change them. They changed us instead. We resorted to escapism, avoidance, apathy. You are paying the price," said the ex-IEBC commissioner.
Akombe, who works with the United Nations and is based at its headquarters in New York City, finally had this to say to young people:
"This is your decade; Seize it. You have what it takes to claim your present and protect your future. Organize, Mobilize, Act, Bring change. The world needs your energy, zeal, intellect and power! Here is wishing you good luck, Happy New Year and a prosperous decade!"