Leaders call for dialogue amid youth hostility

Dagoretti North constituency MP Beatrice Elachi addresses the press along Chalbi Drive in Kileleshwa, Nairobi on March 26, 2024. [File, Standard] Political leaders have called for understanding and dialogue to address the youth's frustrations and struggles, warning that negligence and ignorance of their plight have fueled widespread bitterness. The leaders' pledge for open dialogue, empathy, and meaningful engagement is aimed at healing a nation on the edge of generational conflict. Mbita Member of Parliament Milly Odhiambo called for a national conversation to tackle the growing intolerance and anger. "As a country, we need serious soul-searching. We have a very angry youth and a bitter generation. When we lose our humanity, when we no longer feel sorrow at the loss of life, it does not matter what the justification is," she warned. This comes as parents reflect on the crisis facing young people, with Odhiambo stressing the need for unity and national healing. "We must talk to each other, not at each other. If we do not heal as a nation, we will tear it apart. This country belongs to all generations-both the old and the young. As Parliament reconvenes, we must prioritize discussions on why we are losing the soul of this nation." Odhiambo lamented the rising cases of young lives lost in tragic and unclear circumstances, calling it a failure of leadership and societal neglect. "Parents should not be burying their children; it is the children who should bury their parents. We need to address the youth discontent," she said, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja blames political leadership, arguing that youth bitterness is not the problem but rather a symptom of deeper failures. "What you see as bitterness in the youth is a cry for help. The problem is not them; it is the political class," he said. "When your child cries, do you ignore them? No, you go down to their level and listen. We need to humble ourselves and take their concerns seriously because these youths are not irrational-they are our children," said Sakaja. The leaders spoke during the burial of Elvis Murakana, son of Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, who succumbed to injuries from a recent road accident. Sakaja emphasized that the current challenges serve as an eye-opener for the nation. "The youth are the arrows God has sent upon the mark of infinity. As much as God loves the arrow that flies, He also loves the arrow that remains steady," he remarked. Elachi, addressing the younger generation, urged them to open up about their struggles rather than suffer in silence. "I want to speak to Elvis's colleagues-you live a life where you reject parental interference, believing you can handle everything alone. But this should be your turning point. Make your parents proud. Graduate. Build your future," she advised. She pointed out that many young people only share their struggles after they have passed the crisis point, making it difficult for parents to intervene effectively. "When challenges arise, you turn to your peers, solve the issue among yourselves, and only inform your parents after everything is over. That is not how it should be," she said. "Just let your parents know where you are and what you are dealing with. It eases their anxiety and allows them to support you." Elachi also emphasized the importance of faith and prayer in navigating today's challenges. "I never start a journey without prayer. The world is different from when we were raised. If we leave this nation to you and you don't understand the power of prayer and respect for human life, you will struggle to lead," she warned. She fondly remembered her late son Elvis as a compassionate young man who always looked out for his friends. "He was an introvert, he loved football, and he deeply cared for his friends. Whenever he saw someone in trouble, he would come and tell me," she recalled.

Leaders call for dialogue amid youth hostility

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