With Kenya ranked as one of the
most corrupt in Africa and the youth accounting for more than 60% of her
population, the fight against corruption can be well won if the youth actively
participate in interventions against corruption or initiate innovations to help
fight the vice. We must help effect Transparency International’s vision of a world in which governments, politics, business, civil
societies and the daily lives of people are free of corruption.
We, young people, are undoubtedly
the biggest victims of corruption. Youth unemployment is one of Kenya’s biggest
headaches yet World Bank Reports show that more than 250,000 job are lost to
corruption annually. Bribery, tribalism and nepotism shroud the job market such
that competence and merit have been thrown to the bin. This in turn means that
we remain poor and resort to retrogressive malpractices such as drug-abuse, moral
degradation, violence and apathy that continue to affect our economic growth
over time. The need for the youth to be involved in the fight against corruption
can therefore not be over-emphasized. What then must young people do to end corruption?
We must provide servant leadership,
at all levels. With our athleticism and energy, we must strive to influence the
society to believe in us as the best agents of change and capable leaders. We
must therefore lead by example while respecting existing authorities. In a
society where politics is money-driven, we can use our numbers to propel
ourselves into political offices and once there, we must be of integrity to
serve as examples to others. Many youths now look up to Duncan Gutuanja
(youngest county representative) and Kinoti Gatobu (youngest MP) to be shining
leaders. The nation can never trust us with leadership when, in positions of
power, we are the ring-leaders of corrupt deals and moral corruption. We need
to be the luminaries of reforms and social accountability, providing leadership
in condemning corruption loudest and reporting any cases to the relevant
authorities, which we must always keep on check and ensure they serve the
interests of citizens.
Young people must end total dependency
on the government for jobs and wealth creation opportunities by coming up with
initiatives that do not only help them, but create opportunities for others. To
be prosperous in these wealth creation initiatives, we can seek mentorship from
successful businesspeople who have always inspired generations over-time, such
as Manu Chandaria and Chris Kirubi. The government provides loans to the youth.
How many of us belong to youth groups that can apply for these loans? How many
youth groups pay back their loans so that others can also benefit. If we can
manage these funds well to have sustainable sources of income for ourselves,
the government will be encourage to pump more into youth funds and we shall be
politically and economically independent.
Corruption can not hold us back
as we watch. In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, ‘We live in an age when to be
young and to be indifferent can be no longer synonymous. We must prepare for
the coming hour. The claims of the Future are represented by suffering
millions; and the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity.’ I believe
that with servant leadership and strive for economic independence, we’ll
immensely contribute to securing a corruption-free future for our beloved
country Kenya.
The writer is a Public Health
Officer practicing in Nairobi (chrispory@gmail.com)
