One of the greatest fears of a young man is overdependence—relying on parents, political leaders, or anyone who presumably has financial stability. However, most youths, being students and often unemployed, have no option but to depend on others to meet their secondary needs, not to mention their desire to enjoy life and have fun. Youths from influential backgrounds don't see any problem in depending on their kin, as their families can manage this responsibility comfortably.
It's not surprising that many youths fight for their rights when parliamentarians fail to represent them adequately. The young generation is literate and capable of analyzing information to discern the truth. Political unrest often arises when youths protest government actions, such as hiking the prices of basic commodities, which disproportionately affect students and common citizens. Consistently asking parents for money can be tiring and demeaning, especially when prices rise, making it harder to stretch the same amount of money.
Protesting against financial policies, like increased taxation, is sometimes seen as a way to make the government listen to the people's voices. However, the threat of police brutality often makes youths question if it's worth fighting against a powerful system that seems indifferent to their plight. Despite this, recent protests have seen large numbers of fearless youths demanding government accountability, organized through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Initially protesting against a controversial finance bill, they expanded their demands to include government accountability and an end to corruption and incompetence.
The question arises: where does this fearless generation come from? The adage "Education is the key" has been repeated over the years, prompting parents to educate their children. This generation has gained insights from liberal arts education, including literature, which often reflects societal issues. Reading literary works allows them to draw parallels to their own lives and societal issues, empowering them to address these problems.
The unrest witnessed in Kenya is an example of youths expressing their dissatisfaction with the government after two years in power—citing failed promises, increased taxes, corruption, and misuse of state resources. Such conditions exacerbate overdependence, as rising prices burden parents and guardians. Traders face high foreign exchange rates, reducing profits, and businesses in central districts close to avoid looting during protests. This situation makes everyone, including students, keen to stay informed through evening news updates.
To reduce dependency, some youths have turned to crypto trading, betting, and online businesses, often with poor results. Many lose school fees, upkeep money, or loan money, leading to debt and sometimes depression. Online ventures require learning and mastering concepts; venturing into them without proper understanding can have dire consequences. It's not surprising that peer counselors often address mental health issues among youth, who face pressure to "chase the bag."
Navigating when to make money is confusing for schooling youth, especially with social media pressure. Many young people are obsessed with flaunting wealth, even if it's easily acquired. However, living beyond one's means can lead to unnecessary disappointments. It’s crucial to strive for what we need rather than what we want to avoid pressure.
We must also recognize our vulnerability to manipulation by politicians and older people and find ways to handle it. Accepting the state of dependency and avoiding illegal activities is important. We should aim to be productive academically, economically, and socially, avoiding overdependence where possible. By using the skills we acquire and positive networks, we can achieve financial independence.
Life is a journey, and everyone has their own destination. The route one takes determines the time to reach that destination, and shortcuts are not always the best route.
