Posted by Monday, July 22, 2024 at 06:50 |
Protesters on the streets of Nakuru condemn the police killing of innocent, young, unarmed protesters. Photo/Raphael Munge
Kenyans have been living with learned helplessness for over 60 years, especially among the elderly, which is probably why the economy is in such a mess.
This psychological phenomenon, in which individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances after repeated exposure to stressful situations, has fundamental implications for Kenya’s social and economic development.
After decades of political corruption, economic mismanagement and social injustice, apathy and feelings of powerlessness are widespread, with many believing their actions cannot make a difference. As a result, politicians continue to exploit resignation to their fate, maintaining their hold on power at the expense of meaningful progress and development.
Thus, Kenya’s struggle with learned helplessness has stunted the country’s progress as people watched in dismay as billions of shillings were misappropriated. This resignation in the face of political and economic challenges has allowed the political elite to become bolder and to act with greater impunity.
Kenya sunk into a state of resignation after Raila Odinga’s departure and withdrawal from political life left a vacuum to be filled. However, the political elite and their proxies continued to act with impunity, accumulating and flaunting their newfound wealth at the expense of taxpayers, while recklessly demanding higher taxes, further slowing progress and perpetuating the cycle of stagnation. Having repeatedly endured the ill effects of corruption and cronyism, most Kenyans came to believe that efforts to change their situation were futile.
But hope has emerged after Gen Z took to the streets to fill the void left by the opposition. Armed with technology and fresh perspectives, young people are challenging the status quo and dismantling the smokescreen of helplessness that has clouded the vision of most Kenyans.
Despite facing death, threats and intimidation, Gen Z is leveraging technology to achieve something that seemed impossible for over 60 years. Not content with passive acceptance from their elders, they are actively seeking solutions to Kenya’s problems.
After a recent conversation at X Spaces, I was inspired by the call to leverage blockchain technology. Blockchain is one of the most promising tools for achieving real change in Kenya. As a decentralized and transparent digital ledger, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize governance, land registration, electoral processes, and more in Kenya. By providing a secure, immutable record of transactions, blockchain can combat corruption, increase accountability, and restore trust in public institutions. The technology represents a paradigm shift that could free Kenya from its deep-rooted challenges.
Take the electoral body IEBC for example. Prior to the untimely death of tech reform advocate Chris Musando, there was significant interest in leveraging blockchain to ensure transparent and tamper-proof elections. Introducing blockchain into the electoral process can prevent voter fraud, boost voter confidence, and promote fair representation. Despite resistance from politicians who fear losing grip on power, the push for blockchain in elections underscores Gen Z’s determination to free Kenyans from shackles and bring about real democratic change.
Kenya’s land issue can also benefit greatly from blockchain technology. Land titling and registration have long been plagued by corruption, fraud and conflict. By digitizing land records on the blockchain, the government can create a transparent and secure system that ensures legitimate ownership and reduces conflicts. This will not only protect the property rights of citizens, but also attract investment by providing a trustworthy framework for land transactions. The political elite are reluctant to embrace such reforms because they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
The Gen Z movement aims to reclaim agency and foster a culture of accountability. This new wave of activism and innovation will help free Kenyans from the shackles of powerlessness and pave the way for a brighter future for all.
— The writer is from People Daily
