Social media and education are major contributing factors to the revolution among Kenya’s Gen Zs. Necessitated by high technology and literacy skills uptake, the youth are armed with the best weapons for change.
Education excellence has empowered the current generation of young people with research skills to get timely and accurate information which trigger an action if need be. Compounded by myriad of societal problems, the youth have innovative platforms to direct their anger and anguish for failed dreams and aspirations.
Educational institutions bring together brilliant minds eager to expand knowledge and attain the best from their intellect. Education excellence acquired over the years builds confidence and consequently the zeal to offer solutions, including inspiring change to what the young minds perceive as a problem the best way they can.
Most Kenyans were generally unhappy following the proposed but rejected Finance Bill, 2024. Kenyans took to the streets in protest, marking a new beginning for a revolution which took the country by storm.
Kenya is in a crisis. Its leader President William Ruto is under immense pressure. He has held engagements and has agreed to engage even further. Dialogue is a conflict resolution mechanism. Let Gen Z and the country at large give the President and his administration an ear.
Peer pressure among the youth characterises their behaviour and the urge to belong and be accepted in social groupings and associations. Youth with decent jobs should not fall prey to peer pressure to quit or revolt against everything just because there is the popular wave.
Mob psychology has attracted the good, the bad and the ugly, including criminals and juvenile delinquents hiding behind the masses during the GenZ quest for dialogue and affirmative action to address their woes.
It is relatively correct to say most young people who comprise more than half the Kenyan population have an educational degree, diploma or certificate, whether genuine from hard work or fake (through cheating). One principle is key to understand that university is a big name and integrity is a better fame.
However, academic achievement without character brews pride and sometimes indiscipline which is catastrophic and a recipe for toxic and discordant relationships. There are so many known cases of graduates who have never been offered an opportunity or stepped in an office or those that got fired for lack of character to match what education should shape one to be.
Educational excellence does not guarantee successful life. For young people, it is difficult to contain or manage fame and often end up abusing the privilege over excitement and pride. Academic excellence is a false signal to a brighter future, especially for those who attained excellence through cheating or otherwise.
One element of the Gen Z-led revolt is simply indiscipline that has borne fruit for years since canning was banned in Kenyan schools. Modern parents are so scared to discipline their children because they are afraid to upset them and lose their love and affection. This creates a rift and a major threat for a decent future.
In current Kenya, most young people are used to getting everything on a silver platter. No toil or sweat. They have awakened to the fact that they are adults and need to take care of their bills but have no means and not ready to try.
A good number of young people are impatient and want quick money to sustain glamorous lifestyle as portrayed on social media. These young people need to learn patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. Just as witnessed at homesteads, some young people have high disregard for law and order. They do not like school rules and those who enforce them teachers and prefects. Such young people should be reminded that teenage is the best stage for life to manage or damage.
Mr President please, do not reward indiscipline in the name of siding with the majority. The law should take its course on criminals while society starting with the family unit should take the responsibility to discipline their children.
Communications specialist in the Ministry of Education, [email protected]