THE ROLE OF THE THE ROLE OF THE YOUTHS IN CHAMPIONING FOR PEACE EVEN AS WE HEAD FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS YOUTHS IN CHAMPIONING FOR PEACE EVEN AS WE HEAD FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS
By Odhiambo Jerameel Kevins Owuor
Worth Noting:
- The effects of conflict generally are devastating and detrimental both to the economy and each person. In the long run, in case of a conflict each citizen will be affected directly or indirectly. A repeat of 2007 is not welcomed.
- Many Kenyans died courtesy of elections related violence. There is need for us to make sure that peace reigns at all times. The youths are at a good place in advocating for peace in the run to elections and post elections.
- We still need each other post this election. The world definitely isn’t ending after 9th August 2022. The youths with their gusto then should preach peace to their neighbours and friends despite the various differences that they do have.
The first port of call for this article is the good book, the Bible. The Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes notes that there is a season for everything in life. Ideally in the world we have four seasons namely autumn, winter, spring and lastly summer. These seasons do have individual characteristics that are distinct. Although the four seasons are in a cycle it is imperative to note that each of the season takes place at a particular time. No two season can take place in the same time. The individual characteristics differ diversely. So, are the different phases of human life. It has been determined and proven that youth stage is the prime period of life in which one has energy and perhaps a lot of time and lacks money. The latter perhaps is what many use to manipulate the youths to engage in courses that only benefit them. The youthful season should be used wisely and in manner that will be beneficial to masses.
Having stated that, it is no news that in less than three months Kenya will be heading for elections. Elections definitely are important and integral. The need for an election is essential for democracy as it gives people the right to feel free and choose their government. Free and fair elections are extremely important because they are directly related to the desire of the people to vote, elect the representative they wish to, and think would be the best fit for managing the county’s affairs. The people’s choice for representing them will shape important decisions of the government. They also choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law. There is a major need for elections within every community and country. If people are dissatisfied with the ruling of a current government, they can replace it with another government candidate with strong laws who is fit to rule. People then vote accordingly. Representatives who are elected to rule should meet the needs and interests of the citizens with their power. Having elections at regular intervals is important as it indicates if the current government will continue or change.
As noted in the first paragraph the youths have energy and time to engage in an array of activities provided that they get money in the long run. For that is what they lack. This is where politicians take advantage of them to cause mayhem in rallies and even resort to the use of violence against opponents. Previous elections have shown the youths are susceptible of being used to advance courses that benefit politicians. In previous post elections the youths have been killed and brutally murdered. Definitely this is alarming by all means. There is need to reverse this. Thus the question how can youths be used as agents of peace as we head towards the general elections in August 2022?
Ideal society needs to be built by mankind, a society that is spiritually beautiful, materially affluent and humanly rewarding. It can only be possible if there is peace and security of the world. The importance of peace for any society is obvious. Without peace no nation and no individual can move forward. Only in a peaceful atmosphere mankind can secure greater heights. A society without peace is like life in the state of nature- brutish, barbaric, short, dull and nasty as Hobbes pointed out. Everyone professes a desire for peace as an ultimate goal. This prompts everyone to find out what are the conditions necessary to ensure a stable peace.
The effects of conflict generally are devastating and detrimental both to the economy and each person. In the long run, in case of a conflict each citizen will be affected directly or indirectly. A repeat of 2007 is not welcomed. Many Kenyans died courtesy of elections related violence. There is need for us to make sure that peace reigns at all times. The youths are at a good place in advocating for peace in the run to elections and post elections. We still need each other post this election. The world definitely isn’t ending after 9th August 2022. The youths with their gusto then should preach peace to their neighbours and friends despite the various differences that they do have. Obviously as humans we can’t have same likes and dislikes and even have same taste for everything. Even in our various families we differ but despite that we still have our sisters and brothers’ not forgetting our parents whom we live with amicably. In case of conflict then we sort it out amicably without raising arms against each other. That is what is needed in the national scene as well.
Youths as well should desist from taking some petty cash from politicians who want to initiate violence in one way or another. As agents of peace definitely, if you get some politician doing that the best thing is to report such a person. That person who engages in such act is an enemy to humanity for he or she wants blood to flow like a river. We as Kenyans need one another now, tomorrow and in future. Thus there is no need to destroy your neighbour’s property over politicians who will never ever care about you.
As well, youths should use various means of media especially social media to ensure that they advocate for peace during campaigns and even as we head to August elections. Social media overtime has been noted that it is replacing the traditional forms of media and information therein gets to many masses. This is a prudent avenue to share to Kenyans the need for peace. Creative youths can even compose songs and share them in their various social media platforms. The same message should be shared often but in different forms so that people don’t get bored while the message is being delivered. If all these happen then the youths will have lived upto their billing. Regardless, if this message doesn’t appeal to youths let’s give war a chance.
Odhiambo Jerameel Kevins Owuor is a fourth year law student at University of Nairobi, Parklands Campus. He is an ardent commentator on political, legal and contemporary issues.
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