VOTER APATHY: Why August elections don’t appeal to some young Kenyans
By KEVINE NAMACHANJAVoting is a constitutional right for all Kenyans. It is an opportunity Kenyans should seize to bring about the much desired change.
It is a representative to help push for provision of everything that affects citizenry from health, education, infrastructure and economy.
During forthcoming elections, Kenyans have been advised by religious leaders and politicians to have a stream of consciousness, come out in large numbers and vote in leaders who understand change and not along tribal lines.
They have also been advised to acknowledge that they face similar challenges regardless of their tribes.
Unfortunately, some Kenyans who are resigned that exercising their civic right will not have any effect on their lives, have made a decision not to take part in the upcoming general election.
A majority of whom go hungry, living from hand to mouth claim that problems are more practical than the idealism represented by voters cards.
RISING TENSION
Anthony Kinyua, a resident of Kibera, says he didn’t even bother to register because he does not want to get someone a job while he is jobless. According to the 23-year-old father of one, casting a ballot is a routine exercise which never yields tangible results for the common citizen.
“I voted in 2013 but since then I have never heard from or even seen my political representatives. It is only now that I see them alongside their friends traversing here and there campaigning. I wake up every day to look for jua kali jobs at least to put a plate of food on the table for my family. With the hard economic times, the highest amount I can make on a lucky day is Sh300. That is why I don’t want to help people who are so greedy,” he says.
Angeline Nyawira, 32, a stall owner at Otiende Market in Lang’ata says she registered as a voter but will not vote due to the rising tension in country.
“I am from Meru but registered here. Due to the tension I see here and the way some people talk, things might be worse than 2007. I will travel to Meru on 7th August just to be safe. All the aspirants vying for major political parties are people who have been in power before. They are so self-centered and look forward to enrich themselves more. There is no change at all and I think my vote might not even make any difference,” says Nyawira.
Eveline Nafula, 21, is a second year student at Riara University. She too is registered but will not vote. According to her, the youth who make the majority of voters are always neglected and never given their pride of place as future leaders. She laments that leaders never keep their promises and whenever they take power mega corruption scandals become the order of the day.
LOOTING
“It is as if they compete who the better looter is. They grab everything they can get their hands on and completely forget the common Mwananchi. Right now, they insult each other, but as soon as they ascend to power, they start awarding themselves huge contracts,” says Nafula.
Moses Ngaira, 28, an Electrical engineer who resides in Ongata Rongai is another registered voter who says he won’t vote. According to him, his vote will just be wasted as he believes that these elections will be rigged.
“I woke up very early on election days in 2007 and 2013 but my vote was wasted. What is the use of voting if I know very well that the power has already been rigged?” he poses.
Stephen Nkaissery, 25, from Ngong is a security guard at Prestige Plaza. He graduated from Moi University in 2014. He says he has been jobless since then. He blames his state on the current leadership which he claims promised jobs to the youth but has not delivered on their promises.
“I was winding up my studies in 2013 when the current leadership promised to better the lives of the youth. I was so certain that I had a job even before graduating. Unfortunately, my hopes were completely crashed and here is where I ended. I have no valid reason to vote. Let’s see if things will change before then,” he laments.
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