The youth must say no to political violence and culture of handouts
Youths riot at Kianyaga town in Kirinyaga county before the arrival of Deputy President William Ruto.
What you need to know:
- It is common sense that no (self-)employed youth would leave their business to demonstrate without a cause.
- And no self-respecting youth would accept to be used as a political tool for hire to cause chaos.
Earlier this week, some youths lit bonfires and erected roadblocks in Kirinyaga County. They then set about destroying the poll paraphernalia of a gubernatorial hopeful ahead of Deputy President William Ruto's church visit.
There was no family member of the politician anywhere in the chaotic scene where the visibly intoxicated youths were shouting themselves hoarse.
Leaders have for long taken advantage of the helpless and vulnerable youth. It is common sense that no (self-)employed youth would leave their business to demonstrate without a cause. And no self-respecting youth would accept to be used as a political tool for hire to cause chaos. It has to be the unemployed youths who are enticed with handouts and false political promises.
It is crucial to have an open discourse around the role of bad politics in the destruction of our people's lives, careers and futures. All leaders, particularly political leaders, have a duty to engage the public on their agenda and how that will fit their needs.
Merchants of violence
It is pointless to plan and sponsor violence as a strategy for defeating one’s opponent. It is also thoroughly thoughtless of any leader to pit their supporters against their opponent's.
After all, the politicians who are strongly opposing each other today will sit down, shake hands and forge political partnerships as the youths they had hired as political tools languish in abject poverty for another five years.
The youth have a duty to themselves to denounce any attempts by merchants of violence posing as leaders to misuse them. They must recognise that violence only serves the politicians' interests and does not address unemployment or fix public health, education, security or the economy.
They must also say no to the culture of handouts, which politicians use to lure them. As the elections draw closer, we must all focus on engaging at the agenda level and reject violence. After all, we need each other every day, even after elections.
The writer is a Risk and Insurance Consultant at Half-moon Africa Holdings
