The Betrayal of a Generation: How Ruto and Raila Sold Out Kenya’s Youth for Power and Corruption

In the heart of Western Kenya, particularly in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, a storm brews—a tempest fueled by the disillusionment and frustration of the youth. These young Kenyans, once the torchbearers of hope and progress, now find themselves sidelined by a government they perceive as built upon the sacrifices of the innocent—a “blood-based government.” This term, dripping with irony, underscores the bitter sentiment that the current administration’s foundation is stained with the blood of youths who dared to dream of a better Kenya.

The youth of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia feel the sting of betrayal, not just from the national leadership but also from local governance. Devolution, intended to bring power closer to the people, has instead become a theater of incompetence and corruption. Leaders, entrusted with the mandate to uplift their communities, have squandered resources and opportunities, leaving the youth to grapple with unemployment and poverty. This neglect at both county and national levels has festered into a wound that now threatens to rupture.

Their discontent is further exacerbated by the political maneuvers of Raila Odinga, the opposition leader for whom they cast their votes with unwavering hope. The youth argue that their support for Raila was not a blank check for political bargaining but a call for genuine change. His recent rapprochement with President William Ruto’s administration is seen as a betrayal—a dance on the graves of those who paid the ultimate price for justice and equity. The youth’s anger is palpable; they vow to teach Raila a lesson for what they perceive as his greed and disregard for their aspirations.

President Ruto, on the other hand, is viewed as a leader who revels atop the sacrifices of the innocent. His administration’s track record is marred by allegations of corruption and nepotism. The youth accuse him of recycling old guards—leaders disconnected from the realities of modern Kenya—into positions of power, thereby stifling innovation and progress. This recycling of leadership is likened to dressing old wounds with dirty bandages; it neither heals nor alleviates the pain but instead festers the infection.

The youth unemployment rate in Kenya stands as a testament to this leadership failure. According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate for youths aged 15-24 was 64.23% in 2023. However, this statistic only scratches the surface. The Federation of Kenya Employers reports that youth aged 15 to 34, who represent 65% of the population, experience the highest unemployment rate at 77%. This staggering figure reflects a generation left to fend for themselves in an economy that offers little support or opportunity.

In response to this crisis, President Ruto has encouraged the youth to seek employment opportunities abroad. While this may seem like a pragmatic solution, it is, in essence, an abdication of responsibility. Encouraging the youth to emigrate is akin to a farmer advising his starving family to forage elsewhere while he feasts at home. This policy not only strips the nation of its brightest minds but also highlights the administration’s inability to create a conducive environment for job creation within its borders.

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The youth of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia are not blind to these realities. They see through the veneer of political promises and are acutely aware of the systemic corruption that siphons resources meant for development. The maize scandal, for instance, implicated leaders at the highest echelons of power, including William Ruto. Such scandals are not just financial misappropriations; they are daggers plunged into the heart of a nation already bleeding from inequality and injustice.

Raila Odinga, once a symbol of resistance against oppressive regimes, now finds himself entangled in the very web he once sought to dismantle. His alliance with President Ruto is viewed as a pact with the devil—a move that prioritizes political expediency over the aspirations of the youth. This alliance is perceived as a betrayal of monumental proportions, akin to a shepherd abandoning his flock to wolves under the guise of seeking peace.

The youth’s grievances are not limited to unemployment and political betrayal. They are also disillusioned by the lack of meaningful representation in governance. The appointment of leaders who are out of touch with contemporary issues is seen as a deliberate attempt to sideline the youth. This exclusion perpetuates a cycle where policies are crafted without the input of those they affect the most, leading to solutions that are neither practical nor sustainable.

Moreover, the youth are dismayed by the erosion of democratic principles. The government’s heavy-handed response to dissent, including the use of excessive force during protests, has created an environment of fear and repression. This approach is reminiscent of a doctor prescribing amputation for a mere sprain—an overreaction that causes more harm than good.

The economic policies of the current administration have also come under scrutiny. The rising cost of living, coupled with high taxation, has made it increasingly difficult for young entrepreneurs to thrive. Instead of fostering an environment that encourages innovation and business growth, the government has imposed policies that stifle initiative and burden the already struggling populace. This scenario is akin to watering a plant with acid instead of nourishing it with water.

Education, once touted as the key to a better future, has become a hollow promise. Graduates find themselves in a saturated job market with limited opportunities, leading to a phenomenon known as “tarmacking,” where degree holders roam the streets in search of elusive employment. This situation is a cruel joke—a marathon with no finish line, where the youth are perpetually running towards a mirage of success.

The healthcare system, too, is in shambles. Corruption has infiltrated this vital sector, leading to the mismanagement of resources and a lack of essential medical supplies. The recent scandal involving the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is a glaring example of how corruption directly affects the well-being of citizens. When leaders prioritize personal gain over public health, they are no better than vultures feasting on the carcasses of the vulnerable.

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Infrastructure development, often showcased as a sign of progress, has been marred by graft and substandard work. Roads that are constructed today develop potholes tomorrow, a testament to the shoddy workmanship approved by corrupt officials. This is akin to building castles on sand—grand structures with no foundation, destined to crumble at the slightest disturbance.

The agricultural sector, the backbone of Kenya’s economy, has not been spared either. Farmers are left at the mercy of middlemen and fluctuating market prices, with little intervention from the government. Subsidies meant to support them often end up in the pockets of unscrupulous individuals. This neglect is like a mother abandoning her child in a storm, leaving them vulnerable to the elements.

Environmental degradation is another pressing issue. Deforestation, pollution, and poor waste management have led to a decline in biodiversity and an increase in health problems. The government’s lax enforcement of environmental regulations is akin to a landlord allowing tenants to trash the property, with no regard for future inhabitants.

The youth of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia have reached a tipping point. They are no longer content with being passive observers in a game where the odds are perpetually stacked against them. Their call for the old guard to step aside is not just a cry for change but a demand for survival. They seek leaders who understand that a nation’s wealth lies not in the pockets of a few but in the well-being of its people.

It is important to note that the disillusionment of the youth in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia is a microcosm of a national crisis. Instead of fostering an environment that encourages innovation and business growth, the government has imposed policies that stifle initiative and burden the already struggling populace. This scenario is akin to watering a plant with acid instead of nourishing it with water. Small businesses are collapsing under the weight of excessive taxes, inflation is eroding purchasing power, and the cost of basic commodities continues to soar. Meanwhile, Raila and Ruto, the architects of this economic decay, remain insulated from the suffering of ordinary Kenyans, feasting on state resources while the youth are left to fend for themselves. The promises of job creation, industrial growth, and economic stability have turned into empty rhetoric, leaving a generation disillusioned and angry. The youth of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, along with millions across the country, now see through the charade. They know that as long as these two men dominate the political landscape, Kenya will continue its descent into economic ruin. Their message is clear: Raila and Ruto must step aside, for Kenya can no longer afford to be held hostage by their failures.

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