Kanyi Gioko (Ph.D.), Career Educationist, Researcher, Digital Content and Curriculum Developer./COURTERSY
The growing prevalence of hired political gangs and violent youth mobilisation should concern every Kenyan. It reflects a troubling reality about the direction our society is taking and raises difficult questions about leadership, citizenship, and personal responsibility.
It is deeply unfortunate that some politicians are willing to exploit vulnerable young people in pursuit of selfish interests, often with little regard for the damage caused to communities or the lives lost in the process.
Yet beyond condemning political actors, there is a conversation that must be had with the youth themselves. Kenya’s young people possess immense energy, creativity, and potential.
Sadly, that potential is too often diverted into activities that neither advance their lives nor contribute positively to the nation. Economic hardship is real, unemployment is a challenge, and opportunities can be scarce. However, these realities should not become an excuse for embracing paths that ultimately lead to destruction.
Having travelled extensively across the country and interacted with communities in numerous counties, one observation stands out. Many small-scale entrepreneurial opportunities that require modest capital are increasingly being seized by hardworking individuals from East African countries willing to hustle daily.
From shoe-shining businesses and fruit vendors to barber shops and juice stands, sectors that provide honest income continue to thrive. Yet many local youths remain reluctant to engage in such ventures, viewing them as beneath their educational qualifications or social status.
This mindset presents a significant challenge. For generations, academic achievement has been promoted as the primary pathway to success, but the modern economy demands adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to start small.
A university degree may open doors, but it is not a substitute for initiative, discipline, and hard work. No honest job should be considered too small if it provides a respectable livelihood and creates a foundation for future growth.
Equally concerning is the apparent decline in professionalism among some young people entering the workforce and business environment. Employers, entrepreneurs, and customers frequently encounter poor communication, unreliability, and a lack of follow-through. Opportunities are often lost not because of a lack of talent, but because of shortcomings in basic business etiquette, returning calls, responding to emails, honouring commitments, and maintaining professionalism.
These challenges are not confined to unemployed youth. Similar tendencies can be observed among educated professionals already established in their careers. In an increasingly competitive world, technical skills alone are insufficient. Success requires consistency, accountability, and a strong work ethic. Individuals who fail to cultivate these qualities risk limiting their own potential regardless of their educational background.
This environment creates fertile ground for political exploitation. Young people searching for quick money can easily become targets for politicians seeking crowds, enforcers, or social media foot soldiers. The promise of easy cash often proves irresistible, but the consequences can be severe. Those who recruit youths for disruptive or violent activities rarely bear the personal risks themselves. When violence erupts, it is the young recruits who suffer injury, arrest, or even death.
The reality is stark: many political actors view such youths as expendable. They are useful during campaigns, demonstrations, or political disputes, but are quickly forgotten afterwards. Young people must recognise this pattern and refuse to be manipulated into becoming instruments of division and destruction.
Fortunately, thousands of Kenyan youths are already charting a different path. Across the country, young entrepreneurs are building businesses, operating car washes, managing shops, working in skilled trades, and creating opportunities for themselves and others. They demonstrate that dignity lies not in the nature of the work, but in the integrity with which it is done.
Kenya's future will not be built by shortcuts, handouts, or political patronage. It will be built by honest labour, innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible citizenship. Every successful nation has been shaped by people willing to work hard, start small, and persevere through challenges. The same principle applies to Kenya.
The call, therefore, is for a national shift in mindset. Young people must embrace self-reliance, professionalism, and productivity. Those in positions of influence must lead by example. Communities, schools, families, and institutions must celebrate hard work rather than shortcuts.
If Kenya is to realise its full potential, we must cultivate a culture that values enterprise, responsibility, and respect for the rule of law. The task belongs to all of us. By embracing honest work and rejecting exploitation, we can build a stronger, more prosperous nation for future generations.
God bless you; God bless Kenya.
The writer is a career Educationist, Researcher, Digital Content and Curriculum Developer
