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Gen Z stage peace walk ahead of Kenyan elections

In celebration of World Day for International Justice, young people from Nairobi held a peace walk campaign to stress the importance of non-violence ahead of Kenya’s general elections in August.

On Sunday,17th July, youths from Nairobi’s Dandora slums took part in celebrating the World Day for International Justice through a peace walk campaign.

It was planned by Dandora Seed Foundation, a community-based organization whose objective is to provide children with mentorship, guidance, skills development, and craftsmanship opportunities.

This year’s theme, “Achieving Social Justice Through Formal Employment”, is an important issue for young Africans, many of whom do not have full-time jobs.

The peace walk focused on the upcoming Kenyan general elections in August. It was intended to create awareness on the importance of children’s education, rejecting violence, and teaching young people how to identify and avoid potential exploitation by leaders during election campaigns.


Young people demanding opportunities

Despite Kenya being considered a youthful country, this year the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)  registered only 2.5 million new voters who are 18 years of age and above.

According to the commission, the low turnout has been exacerbated by the high cost of living experienced through economic hardship, high unemployment, and corruption. In the past, during elections, Gen Z have been used by vying leaders to cause chaos in campaigns and bribe of voters.

Many Gen Zers have lost confidence in elections and the leaders on the ballot.

However, hope is not lost as a 21 year old Anita Soina, an ardent environmental activist and author of The Green War, is vying for this year’s Member of Parliament seat for Kajiado North.

Under representation in government has made it difficult for the Gen Z needs to be taken into consideration and acted upon.

In slum areas such as Dandora, crime rates are high – despite efforts by government to restore calm. Many girls have dropped out of school due to early pregnancies while boys have become substance dependent and are unable to continue with their education.

According to UNEP, Dandora has a dumpsite that covers approximately 30 acres. The dumping site has been a hub to a number of children who look for wastes such as plastics, scrap metals, among others to sell.

According to local reports, the dumping site hosts more than 500 families who sell these wastes for their daily survival. Additionally, gang members use such places in the area to terrorize residents. Robbery cases are rampant in most slum areas in the country and Dandora is no exception.

During this campaign period, many vying leaders promise Gen Zers better opportunities such as more employment, creating development funds for youth startups, among other things. For years, these ideals have never come to light, leaving young voters unbothered to register for elections.

Lack of opportunities and empty ‘promises’ has made it difficult for the young majority to develop.

Organizations such as Be The You Foundation and Dandora Seed Foundation have been at the forefront of raising such issues and creating public awareness. They also push for government entities and aid organizations to assist these young individuals.

Such groups have changed the face of marginalized areas, and more young people are now creating opportunities for themselves to create social change!

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