Tuesday’s inauguration of the fourth president of Kenya, the first under the new Constitution, will remain a memorable occasion for many reasons.
It was, however, a signal that it is now time to get right down and dirty our hands in the name of national development.
Firstly, the youthful face of the new top leadership in President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto is by design a reflection of the changing demographics of the republic.
A slow but sure transition is taking place in the leadership as well as renewal of public institutions. There is fresh sense of purpose and urgency to consign the status quo proponents and old guard to the curators of the museums of history.
Youth and women form the largest constituency in the 40 million-plus Kenyans and will form the backbone of any endeavour, national strategic plan or county vision. The Uhuru-Ruto campaign team recognised the importance and numbers of this critical mass and deliberately crafted their manifesto to a youth-uplifting agenda.
Ambassadors of peace
Any discussion about education is really about giving them social, literacy and numeracy skills to have a better shot at life. Plans for an integrated healthcare and social system target a healthy and robust youth and women, for these are the cogs and engine of state.
When we talk peace or express fear of an implosion in society, it is youth that are in focus. It is around these that peace programmes should be crafted. They have energy, courage, determination, and knowledge, that can be channelled for positive outcomes.
Even at the historic ceremony Tuesday, it was young people of both sexes that seemed to drive the agenda. They sang and danced and entertained the nation and represented the face of Kenya. In these ambassadors of peace, the hopes and aspirations of the nation ride.
In youth and women, the ideas, policies and campaign promises must be anchored. The new leadership must keep its promise to uplift them. In this, they cannot go wrong. The untapped potential is too great to ignore.
