Leaders should stop scapegoating parents

Kenya’s political class has a penchant for deflecting blame, and their recent chorus of accusations against parents for their children’s alleged poor upbringing highlights this troubling trend.

The context? Unsavoury social media images criticising the country’s leadership. Instead of addressing the substantive grievances expressed by these youth, our leaders are scapegoating parents while advocating for measures as draconian as abductions to silence dissent.

This warped logic requires unpacking. First, social media serves as a mirror reflecting societal discontent. It is no coincidence that Kenya’s youth, grappling with unemployment, corruption, and a lack of opportunities, use the platform to vent their frustrations.

By reducing these expressions to mere parental failings, politicians conveniently sidestep the role their governance (or lack thereof) plays in fuelling such dissatisfaction.

Let’s flip the lens. When politicians face disagreements with their own children, do they resolve conflicts through violence or intimidation? Certainly not. If their children were to question their authority or challenge their decisions, the solution would likely involve dialogue, understanding, and compromise, not threats or abductions.

This begs the question: why should Kenyan youth, whose lives are shaped by the policies and actions of these same politicians, be treated any differently?

The suggestion to abduct individuals for expressing dissent is not only undemocratic but also sets an atrocious example for future generations. It tacitly endorses a culture where brute force trumps dialogue, eroding the very democratic values that Kenya claims to uphold. How can leaders expect youth to respect the rule of law when their own actions flagrantly disregard it?

Kenyan politicians must also consider the messages they send through their actions. Many of them are embroiled in corruption scandals, flaunt ill-gotten wealth, and engage in public spats that often turn ugly. Such behaviour undermines their moral authority to lecture parents or the youth on proper conduct. If leaders expect respect and decorum from the younger generation, they must first embody these principles themselves.

Furthermore, the culture of impunity perpetuated by the political elite is a far greater threat to societal values than any social media post. When leaders loot public coffers, stifle dissent, and fail to address pressing issues like education, healthcare, and unemployment, they create an environment of cynicism and despair. In such a climate, it is hardly surprising that youth turn to social media as an outlet for their frustrations.

Blaming parents for their children’s actions ignores the systemic issues that contribute to youth discontent. The lack of jobs, the rising cost of living, and the perception of a political class out of touch with reality are all factors that cannot be addressed through coercion or suppression. Instead, leaders should focus on creating opportunities for the youth, fostering an environment where their voices are heard, and addressing their grievances in a meaningful way.

The political class must also recognise the potential of social media as a tool for engagement rather than seeing it solely as a threat. Constructive dialogue with the youth can bridge the growing divide between generations and rebuild trust in leadership. But this requires humility and a willingness to listen – traits that many of our leaders sorely lack.

If Kenya’s politicians truly want to address the issues plaguing our society, they must start by looking in the mirror. The blame does not lie solely with parents or the youth but with a leadership that has failed to inspire hope and provide solutions. Abduction, intimidation, and deflection are not solutions. They are symptoms of a leadership in crisis.

— The writer is a PhD student in International Relations