Growth Catalysts

“The consequences of trauma seep across communities, regions, lands, and nations.” – Gabor Mate

Kenya is now in its second month of protests, with citizens rallying for good governance and equitable access to resources. These recent weeks have illuminated the passion of young people striving to build a promising future within Kenya. However, they face significant barriers rooted in political, relational, and historical events that hinder their progress and aspirations.

We have been discussing how the youth engage with themselves, their community, and their country. The disconnection with parents and ancestors is central to this discussion, which significantly impacts the youth’s future consciousness. By exploring these disconnections, we aim to uncover the factors that affect the youth’s perspectives and identify strategies to support and inspire them.

In this context, we have highlighted five critical aspects that shape the youth’s experiences and aspirations.

1. The Parent as an Abuser: Bridging the Gap Between Healing and Connection

How do we bridge the gap between healing from parental abuse and connecting with older generations during a socio-political revolution? In Kenya, many young people openly discuss the abuse they endured at home on social media. Others silently suffer, still unable to articulate their painful experiences. These childhood wounds run deep, prolonging disconnection from the self. Yet, in a socio-political revolution, all generations must unite.

Young people need safe spaces to share their experiences without fear of judgment or intimidation from older generations. Creating these environments allows for the older generation to listen, and offer words of solidarity, and support, fostering meaningful intergenerational dialogue.

2. State Interference with Our Languages of Healing

We heal in our mother tongue; for many Kenyans, Kiswahili is that language. The disenfranchisement of young people has been exacerbated by the erosion of their native languages. Many young people cannot communicate with their grandparents because they didn’t learn Kiswahili or their first mother tongue, such as Dholuo, Luhya, or Kimeru. This language barrier hinders relational connections and the transmission of cultural knowledge, including important transition periods.

Recently, it was revealed that the Kenyan education sector is considering making Kiswahili an optional subject in schools. This is alarming, as Kiswahili is a unifying language for Kenyans. To bridge this relational gap, teachers and community leaders should revive large-scale storytelling. By doing so, we can help reconnect the younger and older generations, fostering understanding and unity through shared language and cultural narratives.

3. Intergenerational Disconnect: Religion vs. Spirituality

Navigating interactions with older generations can be challenging, especially when it comes to the divide between traditional religion and modern spirituality. Many older individuals tend to leave everything to “prayer” and “God,” while the younger generation seeks actionable solutions rooted in both spirituality and constitutional rights. The youth are eager for practical approaches to future problems, not just reflections on divine interventions of the past.

This disconnect poses a significant challenge: how do we convey to the older generation that their traditional views on religion might be becoming obsolete in the eyes of the younger generation? How can we help them understand the youth’s spirituality, which emphasizes personal growth, community action, and constitutional justice?

Bridging this gap requires open dialogue, where both generations can express their perspectives and work towards a shared understanding. By fostering mutual respect and communication, we can find common ground that honors both spiritual beliefs and practical actions for a better future.

4. Respect as a Gatekeeper

In Kenyan and broader African culture, there is a pervasive notion that young people should “listen to their elders” or “respect your elders,” often used to silence their voices. Phrases like “We had it even worse, so why are you demanding better?” serve to dismiss the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the younger generation. This cultural gatekeeping can stifle the youth’s potential and their desire for a better future.

Future consciousness is about being heard and supported in your current context while also being educated and made aware of other circumstances and realities. Young people must set boundaries and develop a balanced perspective.

Elders must understand that respect is not a one-way street; it requires listening and acknowledging the youth’s experiences and aspirations. By fostering a culture of mutual respect and open dialogue, we can bridge the generational gap and work together towards a more inclusive and progressive future.

Over the coming weeks, we will delve deeper into these five crucial factors that influence the future consciousness of Kenyan youth. Our goal is to support you in gaining a profound understanding of what is possible when all generations embrace each other and move toward liberation. Join us as we explore each of these topics in detail, fostering a dialogue that bridges generational gaps and empowers the youth to build a brighter, more connected future.