The Struggling Hustlers, and the Hustling Strugglers: Kenya’s 2022 Elections and its Youth.
By Jude Thaddeus.
Image: The New York Times.
All over the world, the youthful generation — the millenials and below — seem to be constantly on the grind. Always racing against time. It seems, the odds that favored the earlier generations, hasn’t been particularly favorable to them. And thus, they have to do a little bit more to compensate. On the flip side, the earlier generations on their part hold that, the young ones might not be as industrious as they were. A theory that is slowly, but steadily, being debunked. Whereas the older generations got away with working eight (8) hour shifts — yet were still able to experience upward mobility — the current crop of youth are working, or rather, grinding, almost twenty four seven (24/7), with less prospects as compared to the older ones. Inflation, high cost of living, economic recessions, debt (both personal and Country’s), global pandemics, unemployment and underemployment, healthcare and education crises. Just to name but a few — topping the list of unending challenges bedeviling the youthful generation.
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I recently caught a repeat of a TV interview between a local station and the current speaker of the Senate. The speaker was giving some history in his life as a public servant. And where it all began. He stated, that, after clearing University, he returned to the village. And one day as he was enjoying, together with his village mates, a local brew (busaa), his brother arrived from the post office with a letter. It was from the Government of Kenya. Assigning him duties as a new recruit into the Provincial Administration. And just like that, his career in the public service had began.
I then asked myself. What are the chances that a youth would today clear University. Return to the village. And as he or she enjoys some good time with village mates, receive a letter from the Government, assigning them duties? Well, the probability is ZERO.
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Times have changed. And it is in no doubt that the youth of today, are trying to manouvre a rugged terrain — complete with hailstorm.
They have experienced the worst of times. However much they have put in the hard work. So much so that, the campaigns in Kenya, heading to the 2022 presidential elections, have tried to elevate the challenges faced by the youth — especially the unemployment pandemic — as their talking points. Leading to the now popular campaign terminologies such as Hustlers, and the most recent one, Strugglers.
So far, all Presidential aspirants have admitted, that, this generation referred to as the youth, is in dispair, and that they have lived their fair share of suffering. Hence the hustler - struggler references. Although not all aspirants are necessarily referring to the youth in those exact two terms.
Controversy has surrounded the term ‘hustler’ in particular within the campaign environment. Leading to the coining of the newer term ‘struggler’ to counter it. But in all, both are used to reffer to the very same youth who are suffering — and who the politicians are trying to woo.
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To hustle is to push forth aggressively with the aim of achieving a desired outcome no matter the obstacle. The means, whether licit or illicit, notwithstanding. To struggle, on its part, is to apply great force in order to break through.
Both cases narrating the unfortunate state of the Kenyan youth today. Who are pushing aggressively against unending obstacles.
Then there is the hassle. With an ‘a’.
Which is to harass or give someone a hard time. This, is mostly done by those in places of authority. When they use their offices to extort the common mwananchi. And this is done by both the young and the old. The young, mostly, under instruction from the old. Take for example the extortions in various business premises for you to continue operating, the extortions on our roads for you to keep on driving, the forceful illegal ‘taxes’ that Kenyans have to part with in order to do almost anything. Even that which they have a right to.
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The place of youth in 2022.
‘Seek ye first the political kingdom, and all shall be added unto it’ Kwame Nkrumah.
It is encouraging to see more and more young people showing an interest to directly participate in the 2022 elections in one way or the other. Whether by vying for a seat, joining political party activities, working as aides to known politicians among others. Personally, more of my friends, associates, former school mates are actively engaged in the forthcoming elections as compared to the 2017 one.
Partly because we (I include myself here because I was active in civic engagements towards the 2017 elections, and equally will be present in 2022), are now more mature politically. And also because we have to do what we have to do — or, what we MUST do.
A good number of we the young folks who are throwing their weight into the arena, by default, have held leadership roles and have engaged in human centered initiatives from our childhood days. And our lives seem to be rigged that way. And there is almost nothing we can do about it to ‘run away’ from this task of being an active participant in the political field.
I have to admit that it is indeed encouraging to see more young people stepping up to be counted.
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But that is not to mean that being young is an outright qualification to good leadership. These young folks have their diverse beliefs, ambitions, interests, Governance depth, allegiance and loyalty. And they too have to be scrutinized by the larger population.
That therefore leads us to a very important constituency. The voters — Who do the actual scrutiny. Majority of whom still are in the youth bracket.
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We have to admit that there is a high degree of what seems to be political apathy. Not just among the youth. But across all age groups. The general population seems fatigued, and stressed out. Partly due to frustrations by the dwindling economic fortunes in the Country. And partly due to the uninspiring campaigns by the same old players. The citizens seem to have given up. Informally in Kiswahili they say…. ‘sisi hatuna nguvu. Sisi hatuna uwezo’. Translated to, ‘we don’t have the strength, and we don’t have the means.’ And so whatever happens…. happens!
That in itself is a tragedy. As is being observed by the low turn out for voter registration by new voters. The mass voter registration closes in the next three (3) days — and the target is yet to be achieved by a huge huge margin. Out of a target of about six (6) million new voters, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is ‘struggling’ to get to the one point five (1.5) million mark.
There is absolutely no sense of urgency. Yet, the destiny of each Citizen, is largely determined by political outcomes.
Employment or lack of it, Cost of living, Quality of healthcare, Quality of education, External debt, Human rights, Human dignity, Innovations, Food security. All are dependent on political outcomes. And this, must be well understood and internalized by that regular voter heading to the ballot in 2022.
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The voter must be made to understand that most politicians want them weak and vulnerable. So that it becomes easier to manipulate them. The politicians want them poor. So that they are able to bribe them cheaply. The politicians want them uninformed and uninspired, so that they can easily trick them. So that the cycle of poor Governance and mediocrity can continue as the politicians amass more illicit wealth, and sending the voter deeper into misery.
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What therefore can the youth do?
1) Unite
The youth must understand that politics is a high stakes game. And that the odds are not in their favor. Irrespective of ethnicity, creed, level of education, gender, employment et cetera.
They should shelve their selfish tendencies. (Kenya is becoming a highly individualistic Country) — and instead of trying to win in an unfairly skewed system, Youth should try to be that generation that creates a fairer system for all to thrive in. They should be in a position to point out the shared challenges one by one, and lobby jointly for them to be addressed. Or, perish individually.
2) Pay the Price, or Suffer the Cost.
The youth must internalize that there is always a price to be paid, or a cost to be borne. The price paid for good Governance is saying no to bribes, saying no to negative ethnicity, being active and vigilant in the political processes, advocating for credible and transparent processes, standing up to be counted et cetera. The cost on the other side are obvious. Unemployment, high cost of living, debt, corruption, poverty, police brutality, crime, deteriorating marriages and families, deteriorating Healthcare systems, deteriorating education systems et cetera.
3) Inform each other.
Create awareness among the various youth demographics. Educated and uneducated. Employed and unemployed. Skilled and unskilled. Urban and rural. Married and unmarried. Formal and informal. Male and Female. Youth living with disabilities et cetera.
Create awareness. Educate each other. Update each other. Lift each other.
4) Register to vote and turn up on voting day.
Even at the close of the mass voter registration, one can still register at designated IEBC offices within the various localities upto February 2022 — before the register is closed for cleaning and preparation for elections in August.
5) Vote for credible leaders.
No more excuses. No more games. Your destiny is in your own hands.
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And so, whether you define yourself as a hustler, or a struggler, the difference is the same. And you will have yourself to blame if you don’t actively decide the trajectory of your own Country.
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About the Author.
Jude Thaddeus is an Entrepreneur, a Sociopolitical Commentator / Strategist, Author, and Team Lead @ Brave Politics.
