How Gen Z protests exposed Kenya's perennial trust problem

Anti-Finance Bill protestors scramble as they wield Parliament's mace after breaching the National Assembly on June 25, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Recently, I delved into "The Eight Pillars of Trust" by David Horsager, an enlightening read that profoundly resonated with me amidst the protests led by Kenya's ‘Gen Z’ youth.

This book explores the critical role of trust in our developmental journey and how it is built within organisations and societies. He lists the pillars as clarity, compassion, character, competency, commitment, connection, contribution, and consistency.

The scepticism that greeted President Ruto's announcement that he would not sign the Finance Bill, spoke volumes about the immense trust deficit in our country. Indeed, many of the Gen Zs still do not believe that the Finance Bill 2024 is truly dead even after the president sent it back to Parliament with a memorandum calling for the deletion of all clauses.

This yawning gap between the government and the governed has defined the history of our nation since the colonial period. However, the country has witnessed great transformation on the back of key historical moments that seemed to restore the people’s trust in the system.

The Lancaster House Conference of 1962 laid the groundwork for our independence in 1963, marking the start of what I see as the transformative 30-year cycle of Kenya. At that time, fewer than 100 Kenyans were university graduates according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). That had changed dramatically in just three decades. The second transformation phase was ushered in by the repeal of section 2A in 1992 which brought back multi-partyism and culminated with the enactment of our new Constitution. This was an epoch of massive political transformation and expansion of civil liberties. By the end of this cycle, the number of university graduates was approximately 85,650.

Today, we are experiencing a generational awakening marked by the rise of a new breed of Kenyans. With approximately 745,650 university students and 50,000 graduating annually, our nation is more educated and engaged than ever. This is the beginning of the third transformative cycle. Nevertheless, the persistent erosion of trust at the end of each cycle poses significant challenges. Here’s how the eight pillars can address these issues:

First, Clarity is achieved through transparent communication of government initiatives like the Big Four Agenda, which has significantly engaged the youth by making policies understandable and relatable. Secondly, Compassion is demonstrated in our response to crises, such as the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, where measures to support vulnerable communities reinforced the government's commitment to its citizens.

Thirdly, Character involves choosing integrity over convenience, exemplified by activists' relentless fight against corruption, for instance. Fourthly, Competency is shown by our adaptability such as the rolling out of the e-Citizen platform to enhance service delivery. Fifth, Commitment is visible in our athletes, like Eliud Kipchoge, whose global exploits continue to inspire Kenyans.

Sixth, Connection is fostered through community-driven initiatives that link experienced leaders with the youth, building strong networks and trust. Seventh, Contribution is evidenced by tangible outcomes such as environmental conservation efforts led by young Kenyans which have garnered both national and international recognition.

Eighth, Consistency is reflected in the government's commitment to equitable progress in sectors such as education and health.

As we reflect on the events of the last few weeks, we must not miss the lessons brought to us by our young people. The Gen Zs have powerfully reminded us of the importance of trust in transforming a nation. Kenya's journey towards becoming a resilient and inclusive society requires us to build and maintain this trust across all sectors.

By fostering an environment that emphasizes clarity, compassion, character, and the other foundational pillars of trust, we ensure that each generational cycle not only faces its challenges, but also builds on the successes of the past. As we continue to empower our youth, we pave the way for a future where trust is not a periodic goal but a continuous legacy.