‘We don’t want your positions’: Gen Z speak on the Kenya they want

Speaking during Citizen Digital’s X Space dubbed ‘The Kenya we want: Open Mic Edition’ on Tuesday, the youths said that what they want is a country where every citizen is able to live a decent life, afford basic commodities and higher education and get employment or start their businesses without struggling.

Sharing his views, Pheruz, a resident of Kwale said, “We have no interest in positions of power. It’s not about saying that you are going to include youths in government positions. What we want is a country that functions, where we are able to afford higher education and get work without struggling.”

The issue of affordable higher education was a recurring them throughout the discussion, where many youths raised the alarm over the raised costs of university courses, making many unable to pursue further studies and consequently secure employment.

Samuel Mutua, another participant, said, “The leaders we elect are a a reflection of us. We select people who give us little money and then we suffer. We need to keenly look at those who have leadership and get away from people giving money for popularity.”

Another speaker, Victor Kipkemoi praised Gen Z for taking to the streets to demand for change, adding that the country was at a point where it needs rejuvenation.

“Keep doing what you are doing because we are at a point where we need rejuvenation and we need systems to work,” he said.

Taleb, another listener, said, “We, the people, are sovereign and proud of our diversity. We are committed to ensuring that everyone gets a chance to thrive.”

He said that it is for this reason that he and other youths will continue to hit the streets so that they push for change for all citizens.

“We need a country where there is inclusivity and equality, where every person regardless of their gender or other factor have equal rights.”

Andrew, another listener, said, “We want the protests to end, however we also need change. We want appointments to be done on merit basis. We want all those who have been implicated in corruption to be arrested and prosecuted. All public resources and funds that have been stolen need to be returned and be put to use for the benefit of all Kenyans.”

Listen to the entire Open Mic Edition of X Spaces here and log into the Citizen Digital X page: @CitizenTVKenya every Tuesday at 7pm for other X Space discussions.