… Life is young…
It’ s said that no one remembers the night they had plenty of sleep. But when the night devours the life of a young person, it’s extremely painful.
Two cases still ring in my head. The case of the Kenyatta University student Wambui, who had come from a night-out together with her partner, only for her to get knocked down along the busy Mombasa Road. She was also expectant.
Her boyfriend, Dennis’ narrative of the entire incident is too painful to narrate.
Or the story of Tabitha, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) who was murdered and her body dumped at the university gate, days after reportedly being seen in a city-bound bus.
Years back, I still recall a lady I met together with some of my friends. She seemed to be ready for a memorable night, looking gorgeous and in high spirits. Just as we waited for the elevator to the social place, she received a call, gesturing her friends to go ahead and she’d join them.
“No!No! Tulikuwa na yeye saa hii tu!! No! Wacha uongo!! Wacha uongo!!” (We were with him just now!!Stop lying!!) she wailed.
Apparently, she had come from town, having met her boyfriend there and had just parted so that she could go and meet with her friends. Minutes later, he was knocked down by a vehicle.
She was there, screaming uncontrollably. I still remember the somber mood that engulfed all of us. We did not know who she was, but were really affected by her pain.
These are just snippets of the entire picture. Such incidents being reported in the news always leave people with plenty to talk about.
There are those who will lament that the youths have thrown their dreams to the dogs.
“What were they doing at night?! Were they sober?? Young people these days!!”
Others will have nothing to talk about. The story becomes a statistic. Another young person gone.
And just as a relationship between young people’s lingering doom is linked with the night, a case of a young person being thrown to her death from a moving vehicle in broad daylight hits the headlines.
From road accidents, to fatal misdiagnosis at the hospital, to a bloody argument with a loved one, to abductions, political violence, to hopelessness and depression or suicide; a life lost implies that the country has missed a resource that could have been utilised to make it a better place to live in.
To the family, it’s the pain of a lost son or daughter, auntie or uncle.
To the close friends, it’s the loss of a comrade, a ride-or-die, a buddy who had a lot of ambitions, all shattered.
Everytime I read or watch these cases, I feel largely mad and incredibly hurt. There seems to be a unwritten recipe illustrating how young people have to lose their lives in the most painful and unfortunate ways.
Despite the fact that individuals have to take responsibilities for their lives, we all know that every life lost has a ripple effect on our own welfare, not to mention that it reminds you how lucky you are.
Youthfulness is fragile.
On the 12th of August, the world marks the International Youth Day, with its theme being ‘ Safe places for youth to empower themselves.’
Hardships facing the youth, have made us quite cynical, thus downplaying such occasions as one-day events that are nothing more than just ceremonial.
We know deep down that hours later, we will get reports of young people, not to mention kids, who will be bombed in Yemen, Syria or shot dead in Congo, Europe or the United States.
We know deep down that the unemployment rates wont get cowed by the words in the well-worded speeches.
We know deep down that government officials will try to almost slap us to remember that we can start our own businesses instead of ‘crying for help from government’,
…leaving us wondering how improvement in our position in the Ease of Doing Business index has made it easy for Johnie or Jane to work in peace without fearing any mistreatment from rogue officials.
We know deep down that what matters most, is not the funds allocated, but if we are safe and alive to use them in the first place.
Don’t get me wrong. Those in power are family people. They are parents. They want to do something to help us. That is why agencies such as the National Youth Service exist in the first place, save for the corruption allegations in that docket.
It shows that they have their hearts in the right place. It reminds us that in as much as the government cannot do everything, it can do at least something to make our lives better, and a shift needs to happen from the current plain capitalism approach, to one that is more conscious.
It’s not just about ‘allocating funds to this or that.’
It’s about promoting security, passing tough laws that protect our Intellectual Property, implementing strict regulations on road safety, enhancing quality healthcare at affordable costs,
providing equal opportunities, setting up funds for mental healthcare, talking more to the youth, not at them, easing the cost of living, building lasting presence in the communities,
…and just sparing us from stress that comes with an impulsive-style of leadership.
It is easier to be cynical, than to be hopeful when the odds are against you. Lets take care of each other. Lets form support groups, families to encourage and keep an eye on each other, share experiences and ideas.
Happy International Youth Day!
Stay Safe.
We Are All We Need.
