How politics has fractured our Kenyan society

Youth march on Thika Super Highway in Nairobi during Gen Z protests. [File, Standard]

In Kenya, politics has long been perceived as the quickest path to wealth and social mobility. For many, it is not just a civic duty but a way of life.

Across generations — youth, adults and elders alike — politics dominates daily conversations. It has become the heartbeat of social interaction and the primary lens through which people view any available opportunity. However, this obsession has come at a cost. The over-politicisation of our society has drained our collective mindset. It has stifled innovation, drowned out critical thinking, and damaged the social fabric.

The more we immerse ourselves in political chatter, the more we erode the capacity for independent thought. We trade vision for division, ideas for rhetoric.

In such an environment, community fractures are inevitable. The pursuit of political gain often trumps the common good, and the very leaders meant to unite us instead deepen our divides. Politics should serve the people — but here, it seems people serve politics.

To restore and reclaim our society, there several steps we can take. Allow me to illustrate a few of them here:

Reframe the purpose of politics: Through local forums, schools and faith-based institutions, emphasize that politics is a service tool, not a shortcut to wealth.

Promote critical thinking: Integrate civic responsibility and independent thinking into education systems. Teach youth to question, analyse, and think beyond political rhetoric.

Create alternative pathways to success: Encourage and invest in entrepreneurship, innovation hubs, vocational training, and small businesses. When people have real economic options, politics loses its seductive hold. Support youth cooperatives and local industries: Let young people see the value of self-reliance and community-driven development. Shift focus from central politics to local problem-solving: Promote community-based development projects that require local ownership and accountability.

Revive community dialogues around development, culture, and ethics, not just electoral politics. Highlight success stories from science, education, business, arts, and farming—people who are making a difference without ever running for office. 

Celebrate local heroes, not just political figures. Let the youth aspire to be innovators, teachers, farmers, doctors, not just politicians. We must also challenge the media to change the narrative. Media houses and social media influencers should be partners in shifting focus from political drama to community solutions. 

Promote educational and inspirational content that builds knowledge, skills, and hope. Religious and cultural leaders should speak boldly against divisive politics and instead promote integrity, unity, and purpose-driven living.  Rebuild the community ethic: “We succeed together or we fail together,” should be the guiding principle.

The road ahead will not be easy. It takes more than one voice to change a culture, but every voice matters. We must begin to re-imagine our society, not as one where political power is the prize, but one where dignity, productivity, and unity are the new aspirations. Let us teach our children to build, not just to vote; to question, not just to follow; to lead lives of purpose, not just politics.

-The writer is a Professor of Psychology and Governance and a leadership expert