Make informed choices

This is a decisive year for the country as we grapple with politics over the coming months. Being a transition election, the debate is expected to be intense.

More new entrants are expected in the political scene in all elective positions, as has happened in every electoral cycle, with many incumbents not making it back.

We should have a reflective moment where everyone needs to determine just who we are, the challenges we face as a country and, importantly, what kind of leadership we need to fix our country.

This should resonate more with young people, who take the biggest burden of bad governance and, ironically, is the constituency with the largest number to turn the tide. It is a crucial moment when the youth should view elections as a serious leadership and governance process that will impact their lives and the economy. It’s not an ordinary event.

Kenyans have gained experience out of the turbulent times they have gone through by having wrong leadership at the helm as well as prosperity where they have elected the right leadership. Therefore, this makes the elections the most important of all.

Elective positions

Much political rhetoric will be made by various people seeking elective positions. It is important, as voters, to look at what they stand for in the society, their leadership history, moral standing, and more importantly, interrogate how their development blueprints rhyme with the public expectations. Youth must seek leaders who will tackle their myriad problems with joblessness leading the pack. They must also be encouraged to register in great numbers in the second mass registration of voters.

To make informed choices, the youth must question political parties as well as their belief in democracy and the role of young people in today’s governance.  Over the years, the political class has used young people to add to their vote baskets. Besides, electioneering has become extremely expensive.

The participation of the youth in elections is critical to the future of the country. Youth votes matter.

Mr Obonyo is a public policy analyst. [email protected].