OPINION: Gen Z protests, a ticking time bomb that should be handled with utmost sobriety

I believe that there can never be a peaceful and prosperous society when a majority of the population who are young skilled/non-skilled alike, continue to wallow in miasma of poverty and biting unemployment that is prevailing in the Kenya today.

Failure of the government to create employment to the ever bulging population of young is the main reason why, the generation Z are in the streets to protest the proposed finance bill, this situation is a ticking time bomb and an issue that should be handled with a lot of care and subtlety.

They view the finance bill as adding an extra burden to the already high cost of living, the bill has proposed to introduce a torrent of tax hikes on bread, cars, sanitary pads among others. The generation Z campaigners demand scrapping of the entire bill.

The current government has failed the its citizenry in a number ways especially in improving the conditions that lead to dignified life by providing essential services such as clean water, housing, good roads/rails and even the air transport, quality education, food security, employment etc.

The young generation are at a critical moment where their energy, skills and entrepreneurial skills need to be tapped, through provision of employment and opportunities. 

The current government should not dismiss the current outrage by the young people and the ongoing street protests, instead they should view the Gen Z as key drivers of change and should be given their rights to take lead role in the implementation of national policies and innovative solutions to the challenges they face. 

As someone seeking the highest office on land one of my mains strategies to genuinely address youth entrepreneurship and youth unemployment as one of the main pillars. 

We recognize the fact that for young people to be fully involved in the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and actions affecting their lives, it essential to give them the political and economic will and support they require.

As such my leadership will ensure we promote youth entrepreneurship, by creating county-based youth innovation hubs, providing seed money and other incentives for start-ups and SMEs, improving skills through trainings and exchange programs with developed countries; develop sporting and recreation facilities to tap into the talents of young people; and promoting rapid industrialization and manufacturing to accelerate the job creation opportunities.

Young Lives is a key part of the long-term commitment in developing a nation especially working with them, to champion their rights and develop broad-based strategies to incorporate their capacities, participation and interests, by tapping into their creativity, innovativeness, energy and passion for entrepreneurial purposes.

The first prerequisite to achieving this, is the holistic approach that encompasses human, environmental, and economic sustainability concerning the present and future generations in a global-scale context.

As such the mainstreaming strategy should not be left solely in the hands of the government but, other several initiatives should be marshalled to work hand in hand in supporting government efforts where youth affairs will be addressed at all levels locally, regionally and globally.

John Yahya Nene is a Presidential Aspirant 2027 with Labour Party of Kenya

Email: john.nene@labourpartykenya.ke