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The Nairobian

Our nation needs a reset led by youth, in place of deal-cutting politicians of yore

Peter Kimani

By Peter Kimani | Jul 26, 2024

**Gen Z protesters march in Mombasa during anti-government demonstrations on July 16, 2024.** [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Your article of Friday last ‘killed me’. Let me bore you with this lengthy diatribe.

They do not get it, these so-called leaders. I have now seen the real Kenyans (remember all the pseudo leaders, pro-government or the so-called opposition opening remarks on their senseless speeches; ‘Kenyans are saying, I / We represent Kenya…”

My point is that since I became of age, I think it is the first time I have witnessed the real Kenyans speaking on their own behalf and the simple message from them to the pseudo leaders is: the social contract is over, government legitimacy is subverted.

Therefore, my basic appreciation of what currently has come to fruition before our very own eyes, a new social contract has to be forged by the Kenyan people in their own ways and imagination, as advocated for by the youth.

Keep Reading business

Any ex-leader, pseudo leader, wannabe tribal kingpins, pious fake pharisees of the church, both mainstream, evangelicals, cults, tribal elders who fails to get this message in its simple form should not say ‘Oh I never heard the message, or I never witnessed the events underlying this message being displayed on multiple media platforms on those few past days and counting.

Damn the hypocrisy of the three top politicians: Raila Odinga, who took to the streets and vowed not to recognise an elected president, but quickly changed tune when a deal was dangled in his face; Uhuru Kenyatta, employed and maintained by Kenyans from womb to tomb, and who was on TV in recent weeks complaining about delayed release of public funds to replenish his comfy perks, against a backdrop of widespread want and poverty; William Ruto, who continues to dream of hanging onto to power, even as symptoms of State decay and disintegration fester.

To be fair to these three, their only cardinal sin is or was overstaying their political life. They should have exited long time ago, after trading away the promises of independence. To Gen-Z’s mind, how could these three who have failed repeatedly be expected to deliver Kenya out of its current mess?