Dear Kenya

You know, I have been watching from the shadows, in fact, if I were being honest with myself, I have been a little ashamed because I and many others vouched for your presidency. For quite some time, I have been contemplating writing you a letter, but what would that do? However, I am a political science student, and yes, I understand that liberation is expensive. Mr. President, if we had to evaluate or try to equate your response to the plight of Kenyans, I would say neither you nor the political class understand what exactly is happening. If you did, you guys are still in denial of your incompetence because, for the first time, protests are not due to an electoral dispute but rather failed governance. Even the sentiments and reactions of the people around you are a tale of ignorance. Let’s slow it down, at this point; I am afraid the message would be lost in the ruins or the pools of blood shed by harmless people. I definitely don’t fancy the message getting lost in the rubles of anger and baseless whines. So, let’s kick it because I believe none of you are getting the message we are trying to pass along. I will try to make it sensitive, something you and the government you have put in place have failed to do so far.

The message is that we need better accountability from the political class. The double speak that has been going on for quite some time, does not cut it anymore. What we want are not new projects but the streamlining of the existing infrastructure. We can’t talk about jobs abroad while there is no industrial progress here at home. Neither can we talk about quality education when the amendments being introduced are making education inaccessible. Our healthcare is borderline nonexistent too, because last time I checked, our doctor-to-patient ratio was underwhelming. When the political class talks about austerity measures, I expect them to take salary cuts as a show of solidarity in the theme of living within our means.

The thing with passion and ambition is that they are priceless. As much as we, the Gen Z, have that, the branding of the revolution is still wrong. This is not a Gen Z movement; it is what the country should have done a long time ago. We say a child grows to reflect what is instilled in them from the onset. Guess what? These are the voices and nuances of parents constantly grinning under the oppression of the political class. Now, it is at its crescendo, there is no turning back; the trauma and disappointment laid from generation to generation have come to haunt its host. Just like the nation, the people need healing too. It cannot be a matter of tutatenga, tutajenga, tuvumilie, or tujikaze anymore. These are the proceeds of greed, arrogance, and a lack of urgency for strategic development or sustenance. The leaders need to understand that people cannot be silent anymore, and in the words of Katt Williams, this is the year the truth comes out. The youth are becoming more allergic to loser shit, manipulation, and gaslighting, all of which the political class seems to be very good at. What our leaders are failing to realize is that we are in the age of information, and the masses are awakening, resurrecting from ignorance and obliviousness to their civic duty. 

Our voices are not being heard. Consequently, this liberation movement has served as an outlet for those who felt voiceless. We are coming, this is just a start, and as you are seeing, any presser from the political class is being met with rebellion and disgruntlement. We have been talking, you have not been listening. The time for dialogue is on its way out. Like you said, Mr. President, it’s your way or the highway, now is our turn. I have listened to you speak, and like many other Kenyans, when will you stop lying or victimizing yourself? Where is your sense of reflection? Don’t you stop to think that everything you are doing is detrimental to your reputation? 

2 years ago, I broke down my expectations and the trajectory of the democratic space, when I look back, I must say I am a bit impressed. Not by the leadership, but the people themselves. I had given them a 20 year timeline for a revolution, but, I was wrong. I knew we would have a one term president, but it wasn’t as soon, and for that I commend the people. In fact, I didn’t think it would be during this regime.