I don’t think any of us would have foreseen an adulthood where we’re battling with the shortcomings of our forefathers, the sins of our current leaders and the sinking hope in the future of our country.

None of us predicted living in a burning world, where we feel nearly helpless in the face of imminent doom.Our twenties have been punctuated by unfortunate circumstances that have distorted our concept of reality, while stripping us slowly of our humanity.

We braved through the pandemic, survived the crippling claustrophobia of being cooped up at home, only to be visited by the spectre of political divide and unrest, and overall folly. 

I’m not ashamed to admit that I was previously passively interested in politics, up until the results of the 2022 General Election were announced and the country was quickly plunged into consuming darkness, with no reprieve and seemingly very little light at the end of the tunnel.

On Monday, I finally registered myself as a voter and felt undertones of beaming pride in myself and my decision to take a step forward to try and evoke change.

The registration officer was notably lovely, a complete contradiction of the unfriendly attitude most civil servants are associated with.

On my way out, I paid closer attention to the group of men and women, with children in tow, gathered in the deputy county commissioner’s compound.

It appeared to be a relief-giving programme extended to those who had been afflicted by the catastrophic floods on Friday evening into Saturday.

At first glance, it seems to be a genuine effort to lend a helping hand, but on introspectively dissecting the matter, it is an evident power play, typical of the cycle we have been forced into as a nation.

Allow me to explain, and forgive me if my perspective is not all-rounded; objectiveness is a small price to pay to communicate my angst against the leadership we are experiencing.

EVERYONE WANTS TO RULE

Our totalitarian leaders have boxed us into a world where they create a problem then pretend to swoop in and save the day. They borrow from the playbook of destructive, authoritative leaders whose loyalty is solely to themselves.

The floods, for example, have been a recurring nuisance to the country, particularly Nairobi over the last three years, courtesy of the poor drainage systems and outdated urban planning.

At the first sign of trouble, the country’s minds should have come together to figure out solutions to reconstruct the drainage systems. 

Sadly, we don’t seem to have the sharpest tools in the shed.Instead, the issue has gone unresolved and grown into a fear of loss whenever even the slightest drop greets the ground.

As part of this vicious cycle, after heavy suffering comes a spike in outrage, aptly portrayed by the Maandamano protests, where the people seem to have had enough and demand that their needs be met and their rights be respected.

After using our woes as quick entertainment, action is taken to subdue us and in an environment such as this, we are forced back into numbness, placated by the promises and smoke mirrors that make us forget.

They dangle an escape for the matrix before us, and once our mouths have watered enough, they harshly pull it away and we’re thrust back to square one, wondering what distraction will be next.

I deeply empathise with the feeling of despair and defeat that haunts us, and the safety of living comfortably in ignorance.

However, in giving in, we’re allowing them to bully us into submission.

DO THE RIGHT THING

The political crises in the world today have set the stage, demanding that we pause and pay attention. 

What I’ve noticed is that governments are not self-sufficient and independent machines; they require our compliance, taxes, silence and labour. 

We, the people, hold the power, and they’re frightened by this, so they keep finding ways to keep us under their thumb; for example, all the unsolved kidnappings that are reminiscent of how a certain dictator ran this country before the beckoning of the new century.

It is important to recall that Kenya is still a young nation, still shaking off the shackles of colonialism, while battling the snare of neocolonialism.

The literature texts we read in high school now hit a little too close to home, where satire is our reality.And that is not the future we want for ourselves, that is not the future I dream for myself on the land of my ancestors, and the land promised to us as the people. 

I am wide awake now. Consciousness cannot be unlearned, and civic education is everyone’s right. 

This generation asks for accountability, keeps receipts and does not forget. 

We are watching.