IS IT NOT THE TIME FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ARISE FOR THEMSELVES?

IS IT NOT THE TIME FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ARISE FOR THEMSELVES?

When all of us were, young and growing, we were told that we are the leaders of tomorrow. This we faithfully believed and we all worked hard to see that someday, we shall rise to the leadership role. Surprisingly, the years have rolled forth but the so called leadership of tomorrow for the young people has remained so elusive more than even when we first heard of it. We instead have been ousted from heirs of leadership to hearers of leadership.
The young people in this country have faithfully continued to play a critical role in ensuring that the nation makes a forward stride in her democratic struggle and gains. We have written a magnificent history in our own accord. We have ascended the troubled times and we have done our best to safeguard splendor and values of this nation. During the dark days of Moi regime, young people lost their lives in political elimination and were also detained whenever they arose against the bad and the oppressive yet authoritative system of that moment. Names like James Orengo, Njonjo Mue, Wafula Buke, JM Kariuki, and Koigi WA Wamwere among others ring an automatic bell of a brigade of young but great leaders who were so willing to donate their own lives for the sake of this nation and who have remained and will remain a fountain of inspiration to many more in our current time and in times to come.
Student leadership and student community in the institutions of higher learning in conjunction with the vibrant civil societies of that time offered a permanent and a constant opposition to the awkward Moi regime. These youngsters faced the highest level of brutality for the love of this nation. They offered direction and remained a tower of hope for the hopeless.
In 2002, in our great numbers, the young people redefined the path of democracy of this nation. Firm we stood and in block we voted to bring to abrupt and what seems to be a permanent end of dictatorial KANU regime. This saw an exit of Moi regime and final defeat of his preferred predecessor, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta. The story is the same in 2007 general election; we turned in big numbers in peace and braved the long cues to express our democratic will through our vote.
But, when the democracy of this nation was at a threat, and the will of the people was being tampered with by Electoral Commission of Kenya, it is the young people who went to the streets to defend it. We lost our lives, made to conflict among ourselves and received mass demonisation but kept on the spirit to defend what we believed is right. Through our agitation, the nation was held at ransom and the Principals had no choice but to sit and negotiate. In one voice we made it clear that our nation would not move on unless certain issues were ironed out. The political class derived their strength to negotiate and make statements based on the support they knew they would draw from our struggle. Indeed, if we didn’t go to the streets, caused havoc and made noise, then all we see today would be just but a dream. Kibaki would have been the president and Raila official opposition leader. But our struggle, our blood and our bruises produced a grand coalition government, a peace deal and ultimate normalcy to this nation.
Unfortunately, having struggled and battled this far, we will still find ourselves languishing in poverty, embattled by lack of employment and swimming in the sea of neglect. The cost of living is rising, taxes are increasing and our political class seems to give us no priority.
This is the time when we need, ever than before to unite among ourselves and clearly redefine who we are. We need to rise and claim back our nation. We need to stand up and say that we can. Our demographic strength must now be reflected in our national priorities, employment opportunities and in distribution of resources. A nation can not hold together, if her young people are neglected and forgotten.
Is it not the time where we should rise and claim our historical place in this nation and occupy our leadership mansion? Is it not the time when, we need to show this nation what we can do in terms of leadership if given a chance?
Our sacrifice must not to benefit few and aged but it should be for all and for young people. We must not crawl if we can run. Our unity will be the beginning point. And the knowledge of how historically, we have been fought and sidelined will also help us to pursue our resolve to be great.

Yours truly,
Signed
OULU GPO
P.O Box 4598-00200
Nairobi.