The median age in Kenya is just 19 years.
Those aged below the age of 35 comprise about 80 percent of the population. The
youth –those aged between 18 and 35 years – also happen to be the most educated
of any generation this country. But does the so-called dominant minority get it?
The dominant
minority here refers to those aged above 35 years. This is because they
comprise just 20 percent of the population but dominate politics, government,
civil society and business. In my view, the dominance by the minority is
tenuous. The shear demographic force of the youth of this country is
unprecedented.
Think about this; 40 percent of those aged
below 35 years identify as Kenyans first. Moreover they have a strong es esprit
de corp because 35 percent of Kenyan youth identify as such. About 12 percent
identify by their faith first. This is unprecedented. These young people are by and large citizens
of the world, hyper connected active global citizens, unencumbered by nationality
or tribe.
If you are aged
above 35 and raising children you are probably saying this will pass, they don
not know what they are doing. Soon, you might add, the hard reality will settle
and they will be whipped back in line, staggered by the burdens people like
you, grown ups, have to bear. You may be wrong and here is why.
The times have changed, and irreversibly so.
The structure of the new economy – the one that is occasioned by the Africa
rising saga – is installing a new and relatively young Kenyan middle-class. It
is restive, demanding and different. Unlike their forebears, they are not
semi-illiterate and rural. They are not overawed by the wealth and privilege of
the dominant minority. Moreover, this
generation is not standing and waiting for crumbs to fall from the table of the
presently dominant minority.
They are demanding opportunity. The youth
feel they deserve better. They are civically engaged and 70 percent believe it
is important to vote and have the power to bring about change. Furthermore, Kenyan
youth believe the future will be more prosperous, with more jobs, better access
to health and education.
They are not naïve about
employment because circa 55 percent are unemployed. Government does not create
jobs and they get it! A majority of Kenyan youth, circa 50 percent, would like
to start their own business, do their own thing. What they asking for is
skills, access to capital and opportunity to start a business.
The political and economic implications of a
predominantly youthful population are unambiguous. The 2017 election must be about
delivering the future that befits the emerging dominant majority. The next
election must be about expanding the opportunity space for the youth.
We cannot rest until every child in this
country is firmly on the ladder of opportunity. And it is time Kenyan youth,
the dominant majority, flexed their political power. They are not pawns but
queens and kings in this game.
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