Youth and Women must Ensure their Votes Count in 2017

The budget read this week by government’s admission was supposed to be pro-poor. This is no coincidence considering it comes a few months to elections. Women and the youth who form the bulk of the electorate are poor and the kitties linked to the two groups received larger allocations. The consideration extended to women and youth in the budget shows politicians are aware of their significance in the coming election.

This demographic therefore must be ruthlessly selfish if they are to make their value to politicians count. It appears both our women and youth have embraced a subject  political culture where despite having knowledge of political institutions and actors they play little or no role in the inputs and outputs of government policies, except for cheerleading their favorite politicians.

That the ICC cases that kept us sane in 2013 may not do that this time round is reason enough for the youth to take stock and decide how things should turn in their favor. Already a Bill that wants to remove Kenya from ICC’s jurisdiction is in the first reading in Parliament. On the other hand, a decision on the two-thirds gender principle is still pending in Parliament after the legislation having been defeated twice.

The budget was a win for youth as the government announced a tax rebate for employers that will offer  6-12 months training programs to at least 10 fresh graduates to gain experience.  While this is good, majority of the youth are not able to proceed to college mostly because of financial circumstances. The youth can therefore (through their representatives in Parliament and different youth caucuses) push the government to ensure NYS gives opportunities to the underprivileged.

Additionally, the government has decided to tax beauty products yet they are essential to women’s grooming. Consequently, their cost of living has risen yet women and lately the youth have ventured into manicure, pedicure and salon ventures in a bid to earn an honest living. Therefore, they must use their numbers to demand the government see things their way.

Furthermore, the government must reverse the decision to tax kerosene for the sake of the poor who rely heavily on the product. Women and youth should demand through the relevant channels for the government to cushion them from the increased cost of living.

Indeed, it’s about time the women and youth took keen interest in individuals vying to represent their interests. They must refuse the bandwagon mentality of voting in uniform; that only rewards politicians but does not affect their own long-term interests. In the 2017 election, they should elect leaders selectively across different political parties considering their past record and ability to deliver to the demographic interests rather than the sponsoring party.

In addition, youth and women should use their numbers to bring public officers implicated in corrupt deals to book by holding to account the responsible institutions. In fact they should be matching on the streets until these culprits are prosecuted. This is even more meaningful than the IEBC demos.

And while we’re on demonstrations, it’s disturbing that whenever Parliament calls the public to give views on Bills in Parliament, the youth and women who often are most affected hardly make time for this important activity. The same applies for public meetings by organizations that want to demystify the budget making process.

This demographic must realize how important they are to the country and demand what they are worth. Arguing on social media and exchanging insults in rallies across political affiliations renders women and youth but mere pawns in the hands of the political class. It’s time we invested that energy into making political choices that will transform Kenya to the nation we need and want.

Posted by Mzalendo Editor on June 10, 2016

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