OPEN LETTER

Dear youths,

How to start my case is not quite clear to me just yet but still due to the great mutual anguish that I felt reeling in the air during a conversation that my friends and I were having, I feel obliged to speak. As usual it always has to do with the sad state of affairs in our great nation, Kenya. Critics may argue that all some people do, “like me”, is paint a negative image of our lovely nation. That is definitely not my intention and never has it been. Truth is, there is so much that has been going on ever since the so called digital government came into power and most of it is with no doubt negative staff. It would not be surprising if today we woke up to the news that some more billions have been lost or stolen someplace else within the government because it has become the norm around. Everybody now wants a piece of this loot, so much so that it would almost be impossible for me and my fellow youths to resist this very meat had we come into contact with it. Thus many questions arise but what puzzles me the most is, “What kind of lessons are these that the political class is trying to teach us and do their kids also learn from the same syllabus?” I wonder.   Surprisingly nothing ever happens which is ok for us because we never seem to speak against it. Today though, I write with two disturbing facts in mind. How is it possible that this very people who were tasked with safeguarding the tax payer’s money and channeling it towards key projects that would go a long way in the growth and development of our economy and in the long run improved living standards for we, the people, are using this very billions to buy our votes?? No names mentioned but really? Is that the kind of country they want to leave behind for their children and grand children. Do they ever stop to look back and think about what they are doing? Sometimes I tend to want to understand that we are all humane and we all love money but how do you do it like the world is coming to an end tomorrow? I would really love to sit down with this breed of people and get to know how they live with all that in their conscience, but until I get the chance to, one thing is for sure. This is not the kind of country that I would love my kids and grandchildren growing up in. Why not join hands and speak against it if you share that thought with me.

For a long time we’ve been lamenting against governments with wazees but look at what happened when people chose to go the digital way. How do we as the young generation expect to be trusted with this leadership positions if all we can do is take care of our greed first? Well, if you think about it, perhaps we will have a word or two to use in our defense, top on the list being the fact that this guys are not that young and in reality do not qualify to be classified as youths but because at the time they were the only promising option of young candidates we had, it just had to go that way. Perhaps this time we will be a little bit wiser to give a chance to the many real youngsters out there who are driven by something larger than themselves and are ready to serve too. Hio mchezo tumekataa!!

THE HEALTH SCAM

I’m a proud humble African who wishes no trouble with anyone and thus at most times may choose to shut my ears and close my eyes. Only then is it possible to foolishly assume that all is well but at times situations get out of hand, so much so that even with all your senses impaired, you still notice all the ills going on around. I do not write this with any hidden agendas nor do I have affiliations with anyone from the political class. The current state of affairs is quite saddening and so here I am thinking out loud. One would have been mistaken to think that after the NYS scandal, our country which we love so much would be spared from all the  shameful sagas that are fast tainting our image. Here we are again talking about another scam that has stole the nation’s attention. The HEALTH scam it is. While the country has recorded significant gains in infant mortality, malaria deaths, under-five mortality and life expectancy over the past few years, we have not made significant progress in maternal health. This is what makes this latest theft as heartless as any can be because it touches on an area that is key to our well being as a nation. As is the norm, investigations will be carried out but no concrete results and necessary action taken thereafter will ever be tabled before  the public.  As a concerned youth, doesn’t this get you thinking? Who is or are this behind all this and what are their real intentions for our great country, Kenya and we the people as well? How do we as the youths believe in hardwork and sweat when all we see around are poor educated and hardworking individuals who sweat for the food that they put on their tables while the rich criminals seem to be having it easy? To some point, I would love to blame we the citizens for putting this very people we complain about in those positions of power but then don’t they have a conscience that comes back to haunt them whenever they do all what they do. The gap between the rich and the poor increases on a daily basis but still they continue robbing and building higher walls around their houses while the poor in that next door slum watch with their mouths shut.
When will all this madness end, and if not completely could it a tleast reduce? This is not the kind of society that we as the youths want, not only for ourselves but for generations to come. How do we grow from a developing country  to one that is already developed with a leadership that spends close to all of their terms in government looting public resources that are meant for development?? Soon this will be a forgotten topic just like we have forgotten all the others. So what is going to be next I wonder?
This is a serious issue that should be dealt with as such. Don’t you think that enough is enough? It is no secret who the relevant authorities are and it is high time that they face the people and tell them what they know, when they knew it and what they did when they knew it. I question their silence with all due respect on this and the many other thefts in the country. Could it be because they have special interests and shares? We have reason to believe so.
As I conclude, bear this in mind: CHANGE does not happen. You and I must all appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring CHANGE about. Start by making a sober decision come next year and vote in able leaders based on what they have done over the past years and not on empty promises. I rest my case!