Message by Obama, Pope a wake-up call to Kenya

There can never be a greater time to be a youth in this country than it has been this year. In a space of approximately four months, the youth, have had a marvelous opportunity to be addressed by the world's two most influential and powerful leaders.

One, a leader of the most powerful nation on earth and the other an influential religious and spiritual leader of over two billion people on earth.

Messages by US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis came at the right time for the youth. God used them to pass a strong message to us that unless we take our rightful positions, we shall never have the prosperous and peaceful country we have yearned for since independence.

It has been said time and again that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have the power to change the destiny of this country positively even as we prepare to take over leadership from the current crop of leaders, who are responsible for the misery that has troubled our country since independence. What we need is the will and zeal to propel the patriotism, motivation and energy in us.

Let us arise and make proper use of this chance we have to make a difference in our country for our good and the good of generations to come. History will judge us harshly if we let this window of opportunity slip between our fingers.