Youth, create alliances and initiate change

Kenya will be facing another watershed moment when the two most popular parties, the National Super Alliance (NASA) and Jubilee Party (JP) face off in the August General Election. The voters are gearing up for another duel that will without doubt, leave a bitter aftertaste as is common with all democracies everywhere.

There will be a winner and a loser. In that entire matrix, one aspect is conspicuously missing – the ‘Third Force.’ Despite Dr Ekuru Aukot’s bold candidature as the ‘better alternative’ with Thirdway Alliance party, nobody seems to be listening.

Characteristic of our Kenyanness, hardly anyone cares. That is why we must borrow a leaf from South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The EFF was founded in 2013 by among others Julius Malema after his ejection from the African National Congress (ANC) Party. In the 2014 South Africa elections, the EFF garnered 6.35 per cent of votes, winning it 25 elected members in the National Assembly.

Currently, it ranks third as the most popular party after the ANC and Democratic Alliance. Interestingly, the party’s Central Command – what we would call the Executive is led by the youth – Flyod Shivambu at 34 years and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, 32 years. According to the Kenya Youth Survey Report by Alex O Awiti and Bruce Scott, those below 35 constitute 80 per cent of Kenya’s population, with median age approximated at 19. The same report goes on to add that 70 per cent of youth trust that they can effect change in the country.

It is a near similar case with the EFF with people younger than 24 comprising 49 per cent of the party. That implies we are ripe for a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our political affairs.

The idea of a ‘Third Force’ is steadily gaining ground among young people sickened with the clichéd narrative of them-versus-us that has become normalised. Just like the EFF members who continue to defy the ANC regardless of its liberation credentials in years gone by; Kenyan youth are best placed to do something radical.
Unemployment rate of the youth is at 55 per cent, meaning nearly half the country is teetering on the brink. The EFF describes itself as a revolutionary socialist party implying change must come through all means available.

Structural reforms

However, the most fundamental aspect is the unity of the working class within a solid mass movement to effect structural reforms through capture of political power.

What is to be done? In the Kenyan case, it can be done differently.

Though it would be foolhardy to import the entire EFF’s political ideology – South Africa and Kenya are starkly dissimilar both socio-economically and even politically – radicalising youth is the first step.
The EFF’s Central Command has made it part of its mandate to radicalise young South Africans by constantly reminding them of the urgency for economic emancipation.

It means the power is within themselves to organise and initiate that change instead of blaming old folk. That is why I support activist Boniface Mwangi’s decision to vie for Starehe Constituency parliamentary seat.

His mantra of rocking the boat from within is what Malema and Shivambu adopted during their stint at the ANC Youth League.

That does not mean he has to win. His failure is alternatively a godsend chance for young people to finally coalesce around a common cause.

It brings me to the need for ideologues to steer the nascent idea to fruition through consultation with the economically dispossessed of this country. These include mostly the urban and rural poor, the workers, and jobless youth. Mobilising this group to mainstream politics will slowly empower them not only to vote, but think of fresh leadership.

Finally, while the EFF still makes baby steps in implementing issues articulated in its Founding Manifesto with great success, Kenyans cannot whine forever.

Neither can we say negative ethnicity hinders us from that goal. It is upon us to confront our fears and create the ‘Third Alliance.’

{ Kenyatta University}