Kenya’s
median age is estimated at 19 years. About 80 percent of Kenya’s population is
below 35 years old. Hence, we are a very youthful society. The future of our
country, and indeed its best years are in the years ahead and lie in the hands
of our young men and women.
However,
that future is not out there, to be designed, made and bestowed upon us. The
future will be determined by how we bring up our children today. Fundamentally,
the future will determined by how we educate our children; their values,
ethics, what their understand to constitute success and the enterprise; how we
nurture and harness their creative drive and orientation to innovation.
Besides
the struggle for independence, the fight against corruption is perhaps the most
consequential war of liberation of our time. This in my view is the definitive
struggle to set free the body and soul of our country. Roaring corruption along
with impunity and greed has held this country in bondage for over half a century.
Corruption is pervasive and ruined our judicial system, the police, education,
politics, business, public service and even churches.
President
Uhuru Kenyatta has launched the most spirited and sustained campaign against corruption.
While the focus on public servants and leaders of the private sector is both
significant and necessary, the war against corruption must be broadened and
deepened. We must take the anti-corruption crusade into our schools, colleges
and universities. The youth of this country must be at the vanguard of this
war.
The
youth must be at the forefront of the anti-corruption effort because a survey commissioned
by the East African Institute of the Aga Khan University reveals a staggering
deficit of integrity among Kenyan youth. For example, 50 percent believe it
does not matter how one makes money as long as one does not go to jail. About
35 percent would take or give a bribe. Only 40 percent strongly believe it is
important to pay taxes on earned income. Approximately half of the youth
surveyed would vote for a candidate who paid them a bribe. More than 70 percent
are afraid of standing up for what is right for fear of retribution.
Moreover,
48 percent are entrepreneurial and would like to own and run their own
business, compared to only 26 percent who would settle for paid employment in
the traditional professional fields of law medicine, teaching, accounting and
engineering.
Furthermore,
77 percent of the youth believe Kenya will be richer materially, offering
better access to quality education, healthcare, and more jobs for the youth.
Another 67 percent believe our society will reward merit and hard work.
However,
I find it hard to imagine that the entrepreneurial dreams of our children will
flourish when they lack integrity, are willing to pay or receive a bribe, and
will do anything to make money. I find it hard to believe that a future that is
prosperous and offers more jobs, high quality education and improved access to
health is even thinkable in a society drenched in impunity, greed and
corruption.
The
youth must support President Kenyatta in spearheading this novel effort. It is
in the interest of the youth to join this fight because their dreams about a
future that “offers better access to quality education, healthcare, and more
jobs for the youth” will be undermined by a youthful population that gives or
takes bribes, won’t pay taxes and is afraid to stand up for justice.
I
believe that how we educate and mentor our children, from pre-school to
university, must be a critical plank among other initiatives to: i) to prepare
young people for the future, nurturing and channeling their creativity and
innovation and supporting their desire to build and own their own enterprises;
ii) inculcate the values of ethics and integrity, adherence to the rule of law
and civic responsibility.
I
believe there is a great opportunity now, as we think about education reforms
to think creatively about how education can be vehicle for imparting sound
moral and ethical values to the youth. But we must ensure that the issues of
ethics and integrity, how to build and just and fair society are not just
taught as subjects to be examined but are presented as imperatives for
citizenship.
We
must save this country for the future, its children. Happy holidays!
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