If you are not keen on the music scene then the words 'We are Young' wouldn't strike a lyrical tune immediately on seeing them in the title but these words as immortalised by the American band Fun, capture the symbolic transition of this great nation in these interesting times. Allow me to explain.
Kenya is by no means an old State in the history of independent nations. Turning 50 this year, this country has by far achieved much socially, economically and politically. But no other riveting sphere is there than the political having gradually progressed from Colonisation onto independence multi-party system, single party rule, back to a multi-party 'democracy', a grand coalition government and now a 'digital' nation. Indeed the history of Kenya reads quite fascinating to any novice in African affairs.
The term Jubilee is on that has been on the lips of every Kenyan over the past four months, from the toddlers to the elderly, who were enchanted into believing that the term is of Kenyan political origin rather than Judaic religious tradition which in every sense encompassed a political and social dimension.
In the Biblical times Jubilee was marked on the 50th year after seven cycles of Sabbatical years (seven in number) known as shmita years. In this year, it has been argued, the Israelites were meant to return property to its original owners or their heirs and also free slaves. To some it is considered a year of restoration and which the coming three years are meant to be of plenty. Using this understanding politicians in Kenya have used the term during the campaign period to promise government of plenty or government of restoration depending on the contexts that was favourable.
Present day, Kenya is about to celebrate its 50th year and indeed its can be said its Jubilee year and it has a Jubilee Coalition Government in place. The throne of Government have been restored to the Kenyatta family, the independence politicians have seized the reigns of power to a new generation restoring that youthful vibrancy that the nation had in 1963. Indeed its a year of Jubilee.
However, with all these analogies that could make any religious devotee or political analyst jump to their unknown conclusion, one thing is for certain, Kenya has began on a new exciting path. We have chance again to define our nationhood and aspirations that will chart the course for the next 50 years of this country.
In this Jubilee year we are still not at our Everest economically but have made major gains politically. Socially, we are still crawling towards an integrated and cohesive society. However, with a new Constitution barely three years old and a President barely three days in office, Kenya is optimistic.
What the Jubilee Government under Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto can offer this nation in this Jubilee year is the hope that they will set this country on a trail blazing path to a future where all citizens will be proud to be called Kenyans, where it will not be naive even when you are 50 to dream of a country so technologically adept that 6 year old's go to class with laptops or where every child comes into citizenship not as a burden to the mother but a blessing.
The task lies on the President and his Deputy to make every young person proud to have a country run by its young and yes, we are young.
To watch the Video Click >>> We are Young by Fun
