As the wise Zulu elders of South Africa put it, “When the sun rises, some people curse its brightness instead of waking up”. In any case, isn’t that the story of our lives? We all know people who could be part of something bigger, something meaningful – something that is not just about their ego – but, hey no way, they would rather sit in the dark and complain about how bright the future looks.

Some people are just bitter. Bitter like unripe mangoes. They do not like seeing others succeed. If they are struggling, they want everyone else to struggle too. Some are even willing to burn a house down, sit inside and watch you burn, forgetting they are also inside that very same house. Heck! But until when will this foolishness continue?

When the promising Gen Z revolt started, many of us were hopeful. We believed a better Kenya was coming. One with good leadership and a government that actually cared for its people. We dreamed of free quality healthcare, free education, better roads and basic things like job opportunities that so many youth are denied. But instead, we have a government that only knows how to overtax and drain its own people – its workforce. Shame.

During the revolt, we sang our hearts out vowing to kick out all those greedy and corrupt politicians in 2027. We dreamed of a new generation of young leaders who truly understand our struggles taking over. But how will that ever happen if we keep fighting among ourselves, killing our own momentum and morale?

“It takes courage to apply and seek to serve the country. We let ourselves down when we aren’t part of the change we want. The [IEBC] selection panel should not have an excuse of not having good applicants. The notice is out; to those who qualify, send in your applications,” LSK president Faith Odhiambo posted last week on her X account.

Her post got mixed reactions. Some people saw it as a good chance to be part of change, while others — bitter and disappointed — felt it was a betrayal move meant for “traitors”.
Look, I’m not a political analyst, but what if the real game-changer is young people taking charge instead of just complaining online? Maybe, just maybe, we need fresh faces to fix this mess!

My good friend, Max Ayaga, a law student at the University of Nairobi, wrote something on his WhatsApp status that I would like to share. He too was frustrated with how our generation is so good at complaining — about bad leadership, poor governance and more. But when given the chance to step up, we often don’t.

It’s time we stop listening to the naysayers and start applying for those jobs, even the government ones that the bitter, traumatised folks who do not want progress will tell you to avoid. That’s one of the steps that will help get rid of bad leadership. You see those roles posted in those “high places”? Apply for them. Go for that political seat you have been eyeing.

What if you don’t apply for that job or run for that seat, and then some joker gets re-elected to represent us when you had all the qualifications and potential to save us?

If you think you can improve things, step up and do it! Don’t just sit back and complain. Apply for those roles and put your best foot forward. If they don’t pick you, fine. You will be able to say they had a perfect candidate in you but chose not to go with it. But try first!

— The writer is a Sub-Editor with People Daily; lucky.oluoch@mediamax.ke