I am a big fan of the famed Argentinian author, poet and essayist Jorge Luis Borges. He was a man of many passions, one of which was his deep sense of patriotism. In a sentiment that likely resonates with many Kenyans, Borges often said that although he would probably never truly understand his country, he would always hold it close to his heart.
Among his notable works is The garden of forking paths. Stripped to its core, the short story is a metaphor for the idea that our possible futures are made by our present decisions, which, in turn, are shaped by the choices of the past. It’s a perfect metaphor for where Kenya currently finds itself: between the entrenched selfishness of our current political elite and the rebellious hopefulness of the Gen Z determined to chart a path to sunlit uplands.
I don’t say this lightly. We seem to be on the cusp of a new day as a country. Evidence abounds that reason—finally—has reclaimed its throne. Many Kenyans are engaging in discussions about policy instead of politics. Gen Z are digging up past seedy corruption scandals and criminal cases involving some of our politicians, questioning how the country ever entrusted them with power.
Meanwhile, Kenyans like Mwambili Mwagodi are doggedly trying to dislodge politicians from the pulpit, where their corrosive influence has given the rankest of political villains a sheen of godly approval.
At the same time, under an initiative spearheaded by the inimitable Hanifa Adan, Kenyans are rallying to raise funds to help those who have lost loved ones or suffered injuries in the recent protests. The outpouring of support has been truly remarkable and demonstrates the power of grassroots organising outside the constraints of our toxic political structures.
The Gen Z have started an important conversation about political accountability and financial prudence. Kenyans must continue to reject all efforts to divert our attention from examining deeper, more complex issues about how the country is governed.
From my vantage point, the youth-led movement now finds itself in the aforementioned garden of forking paths. There are three possible futures before it: infiltration, self-destruction or evolution into a formidable, gravity-defying political force.
Already, there have been attempts to infiltrate and undermine the movement, which has unsettled the entrenched political elite. Last week, several politically connected groups of young people attempted to pose as representatives of the movement in response to President William Ruto's call for dialogue with Kenya’s youth. Their ruse was swiftly exposed, as their affiliations with several current political leaders were uncovered, complete with past photo ops on the campaign stump.
Other attempts to weaken the movement shall follow, almost certainly accompanied by ungodly amounts of money. The young Kenyans must stay the course and refuse to be swayed. They should heed the words of the political philosopher, Franz Fanon: "Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it."
The kaleidoscope has been shaken, and the pieces are in flux. Before they settle, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to reorder the nuts and bolts of our country and create a more just and equitable society.
So far, the movement has harnessed the "wisdom of the crowd" to guide its course. It’s a strategy with both strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, this collective approach makes it difficult for adversaries to pinpoint and target a single leader.
However, a significant drawback is the lack of centralised planning, which makes the movement vulnerable to infiltration. This vulnerability was evident when disruptive elements managed to mar the otherwise peaceful protests this week. To counter this, the movement needs better organisation and strategic planning.
A promising future awaits us, but we must make wise choices while we still have the trust of the Kenyan people.
Lawyer and media practitioner