More than 50 percent of registered voters in Kenya are under 35 years [Photo/africaresearchinstitute.org]
Kazi Kwa Vijana, Pesa Kwa Wazee is a lazy phrase coined by a Kenyan who just gave up on holding leaders accountable. I am not saying it’s not a true reflection of things in the country, I am saying it should not be okay.
If anything, it has been shown to be truer than ever this election period.
We are being treated to scenes of old men who should be collecting their retirement, dancing in political rallies like they are having a stroke, while jobless youth cheering them on.
The truth is that after the election is done, politicians will go back to their rosy lifestyles and use the current youth unemployment rate as conversation starters in their parties.
According to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) 2017 report, the rate of unemployment in Kenya is the highest in the East African region.
The basic issues that plagued the country when we got independence are still there. Election promises have not changed one bit. You can take a political campaign clip from 1992 and play it on national television today and nobody will know the difference.
Kenyans are still awaiting the promise of healthcare, good education, proper housing, good roads and clean water.
Politicians are aware that once they provide these five things the electorate will push for better accountability and distribution of resources, thus spoiling the party for the looters and redirection of public resources to their already fat pockets.
Based on the voter register the largest voting block is between 25 - 35 year old and comprises of people born between 1982 and 1992. Further breakdown shows that 3.291 million are female and 3.272 million are male.
If they open their eyes, this group can change the course of this nation. Vote wisely.