Pamela Jepkemei.
As Kenya grapples with the challenges of corruption and unethical conduct, the youth have a crucial role to play in the fight against the vice. Corruption has proven to be one of the most dangerous threats not only to the development of the country but also for the survival of the population, and the majority of them being the youth.
There is no doubt that the Kenyan youth are energetic people who are also critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption in the country. They are some of the most important agents of change in the fight against corruption. The Kenya Youth are estimated to be 65 per cent of the total population. The youth is considered as those aged between the ages of 15-30.
The starting point in the fight against corruption by every Kenyan including the youth is true patriotism that goes beyond superficial sentiments. The youth who will be taking up the leadership mantle have a higher calling to embrace love for their country that goes beyond rhetoric. Patriotism is one of the national values in Kenya.
Patriotism is love of one's country, identification with it, and special concern for its well-being and that of compatriots. A patriot will therefore not engage in or tolerate any wrongdoing including corruption and unethical conduct.
Kenyan youth have a sense of duty to practice patriotism and taking the role in fighting corruption through active participation. They should collaborate with colleagues, community members, and other leaders to hold elected officials accountable. The robustness displayed recently by the youth as they fight for their rights should be used constructively and lawfully to fight corruption.
Kenyan youth have the advantage because they are equal members of critical social movements that form integral building blocks of society: families, school communities, religious groupings, hobby groups, sports associations, resident associations, university groups, ethnic associations, professional associations and membership organizations, political parties, and citizens at large.
Corruption is one of the issues raised by the youth during their call for good governance. They encounter corruption from service delivery points of the government. Some have lost opportunities because of corruption. Whether they are seeking opportunities in employment, education bursaries, they encounter barriers through corruption, which in turn affects their lives negatively.
As they agitate for good governance, the Kenyan youth should do so constructively for them to reap long term benefits. Their actions should not be guided by ulterior motives but rather for the good of the nation.
The youth have an advantage only if they will combine the high energy level with the professional skills and experience to raise awareness to create new levels of enthusiasm. Young people, have the power to lead the change against corruption by raising awareness within their communities about the dangers of corruption, promoting ethical behaviour in their social circles, such as on Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok, and rejecting dishonest practices.
Finally, to combat corruption in Kenya, the youth have a role to help in inculcating the culture of integrity, transparency, accountability, democracy, service delivery and good governance for the generations to come.
It is important to remember and reflect the words of former US President John F Kennedy during the inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 1961, as he assumed the presidency: "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country".
