Governance
New Era Of Leadership And Public Resources Accountability
By Prof . Kellen Kiambati
The concept of ‘ good trouble ’ was introduced by John Lewis emphasizing the necessity of nonviolent protest in order to achieve social and political reforms . The last few weeks the concept has found resonance in Kenya where we have witnessed demonstrations led by Gen Z that have caught local and international attention . Kenya has a rich history of activism but the recent demonstrations and events have created a lasting change in our political landscape demanding for accountability and systemic change .
One striking feature of the recent demonstrations is the real place of people power making Kenya witness for the first-time political leaders being held accountable by the citizenry in a direct manner causing government to defend its actions and decisions taken in the past . As a country we have permanently marked a shift to a more accountable and transparent governance and accountability structure .
The demonstrations by Gen Z have introduced an era of accountability making those in power and even those that will take power in the future to consider repercussions of their decisions . It is clear the newfound accountability will form a cornerstone for sustainable political and social change and pivotal point in political evolution . Political leaders ’ scorecard has already been defined .
The momentum gained so far indicates leaders will have to always put measures in place to consider the will of people before making any decisions and those who oppose scrutiny will be swept away by the new tide . The youth are no longer passive observers but active participants in shaping their country ' s future . Their engagement has been instrumental in driving the movement forward and ensuring its success . The focus should be now to harness their power productively and positively .
The demonstrations by Gen Z have introduced an era of accountability making those in power and even those that will take power in the future to consider repercussions of their decisions . It is clear the newfound accountability will form a cornerstone for sustainable political and social change and pivotal point in political evolution .
The demonstrations by Gen Z have also brought out the issue of trust deficit . The trust deficit between citizens and government leaders poses significant challenges to governance , stability , and development . Addressing this deficit requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes transparency , accountability , effective communication , and improved service delivery . Perhaps it is time governments considers fostering a culture of integrity and responsiveness so as to rebuild trust and strengthen democratic institutions , paving the way for a more stable and inclusive prosperous Kenya .
Finally , all parties involved should collaboratively find mechanisms to sustain the momentum with a view to ensure young people continue to be engaged and informed in holding their leaders accountable . By maintaining their involvement we will all be sure of creating even more just and equitable society .
There is every reason to be optimistic about the dawn of a new Kenya where leadership and public resources accountability will be our way of life .
Prof . Kellen Kiambati holds a BA - HRM from Kenyatta University , MBA from the Kenya Methodist University and a PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Strategic Management from JKUAT . She is a member of the Institute of Human Resource Management of Kenya . She can be reached via : Kellenkiambati @ gmail . com
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