The youth (aged between 18 and 34) make up 57% of the 42 million Kenyans of this nation. Yet how many of them are in positions of power? Unfortunately, Kenya has seen more young people represented on the frontlines at political riots rather than on the ballots and in the voting booths. “Many young people are unemployed and this makes them vulnerable to misuse by the political class who pay them to act as "security" to ward off competitors… Historically, it manifests itself in the form of violence as they belong to different gangs in support of politicians.” Says Ms Kijala Rita Shako, the Democratic Governance Lead at Oxfam. The March 4th election presents a chance for sweeping changes in the corridors of power; but who is part of Kenya’s political ‘GenNext’? And for what and who do they really stand?. UP speaks to Elijah Kanyi and Charles Wanguhu, two candidates who are part of a new “tribe” of young political aspirants.

One of the fresh faces is 31-year-old Charles Wanguhu. “I am driven by my passion for public service and justice for all,” he says. Charles, who holds a Masters in Law, is campaigning as an independent to become the Ward representative of Kileleshwa. He is running as an independent because he hasn’t seen any party whose values are in line with his. “Even with the parties who claim to be youth-oriented, they are just a new brand of people who want to get on the gravy train,” he remarks. Charles is currently the Head of Programs at the Africa Centre for Open Governance, a position that instils a philosophy of good governance into his political platform.

“It is important that we get people in place who put in systems that work. The new constitution gives the public greater opportunities to instil transparency and accountability and that [is what] I want to transfer to the county government.” And perhaps Kileleshwa would benefit from a Ward representative who is a Stanford “Draper Hills Fellow”. (This is a program offered by Stanford University that trains mid-career professionals on Democracy, Development and The Rule of Law.) Charles worked at the Kenya Human Rights Commission from 2006 to 2008 before joining the Danish Institute for Human Rights the same year. “What we need now is inclusive leadership,” he insists. One way that Wanguhu already encourages this is by tracking feedback through social media. “I always set out to have a conversation with the people of Kileleshwa. What are our issues? [The conversations] shaped my plan for Kileleshwa. People are tired of being told [what to do] and it’s a very African thing because it’s almost paternalistic.

It’s not about people agreeing it, also them challenging you. We are trying something different.” he explains. “We all have spaces of influence,” he says. Even though Charles lives in Kilimani, he chose to run in the ward where he worked over the one where he lives. (The Africa Centre for Open Governance is located in the Kileleshwa ward). Speaking on insecurity, Charles is aware that the county government does not have an increased role in security. Consequently, Charles doesn’t want to make promises he can’t keep. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t got ideas. “Security is other idea is to try and pilot a community CCTV (closed circuit television camera) system,” he offers. Charles recalls an incident that brought home the necessity of solving security issues in Kileleshwa. He’d dropped off fliers at a chemist then three hours later someone called to tell it had been robbed. “How does this station.

What are the police doing?” he asks. Charles is keen to focus on business opportunities in Kileleshwa. He explains, “The different areas I have chosen are interlinked. When I talk about business, I talk about harnessing business opportunities in recycling for example and then, going green. Ensuring that our garbage is separated so that you have organic and plastics [becomes] an income source for [youth groups]”. Describing himself as someone who was “never a conformist”, his decision to run on an independent ticket is consistent with this self-assessment. Plus, he has never felt alone in his fight for the political seat. Young people have rallied to support him, from designing his campaign poster to offering marketing advice and printing his business cards and other such campaign materials.

Perched on the rooftop of a dilapidated building in the heart of Mathare slum we find another young contender. Elijah Kanyi’s aspirations run all the way to the Kenyan parliament, hoping to represent the Kenya National Congress (KNC). At 28, the slim, dreadlocked freelance journalist may seem too young to be a political aspirant but when you see him in his right element, walking through Mathare 3C, it seems he was built for the job. “It’s not about politics, it’s about leadership”, he says, gesticulating widely at the vast slum behind him, flashing a tattoo on the inner side of his hand. According to Elijah, the difference between politics and leadership, is that politicians start a project and then finish it close to election time, but a leader starts a project, finishes it and asks, “What next?” The former footballer was orphaned at 13 and is married with two daughters, so he knows about taking on a challenge.

Posters slathered in every possible open space seem to indicate that the Orange Democratic Movement and The National Alliance party have a stronghold where Kanyi is campaigning. “I know, people are voting on tribal lines, but with me there’s nothing like tribe,” he says. While the challenge to win the vote grows heavier by the day, Kanyi admits that he does not have cash to fling at poor residents or mass-produce posters like the dominant parties. “With or without money, I have to be in the race,” Kanyi says with a voice of a man on a mission. Kanyi is encouraging supporters to bring their black or white t-shirts for free printing of his campaign message. And he’s getting some help too, both on the project and keeping his sense of morality in check. “I have people around me who won’t let me get away with turning into a ‘vulture’”, he muses. With friends like photographer and activist Boniface Mwangi, who is helping Kanyi market his t-shirt campaign, it is hard to imagine he could. “People here won’t pay to wear my t-shirt, so instead we print my campaign details on their t-shirts for free.” Elijah is also using his personal Facebook account, with a little over 1000 friends, to post pictures of the t-shirts. In one picture, Kanyi confidently crosses his arms across the front of a t-shirt proclaiming “Made in Mathare”.

In another, with the city as his backdrop and a wide, warm smile on his face, Kanyi holds up a white t-shirt designed in the format of a typical campaign poster complete with his caricature. “Politicians keep people down so they can stay up, but not with me. We have to find solutions for the youth. It’s the thugs versus the community,” he states. Kanyi believes employment would drastically reduce insecurity in the area. He explains, “I won’t give money, instead I will give resources. If you hand someone cash they’ll just spend it and be right back where they started”. He speaks of building youth centres and giving youth groups livestock from which to create income. “I don’t have money, but I have ideas. For example, if you give a group of young people a cow with which they can sell milk, they will stop stealing. People are engaging in such acts because they lack employment,” he says. “There are many footballers in Huruma. I can turn [it] into a mini stadium where even [Kenya] Premier League can be played. The youth can get money from the teams that come to play there.” he says earnestly.

Environmental issues in the area are intimidating. According to a 2012 Slum Dwellers International and Muungano Support Trust report, “Only 28% of households report being served by a waste collection group”. Kanyi is acutely aware of the challenges that face him, especially the possibility of the youth splitting their vote, but he’s resolved to work through the challenge of bringing them together. “I will talk to [the youth] and tell them to look at me as a person, as a leader. I am also intending to get votes from women. If they decide its Elijah, its Elijah,” he says. Time will tell whether Kanyi will be the man who can deliver the much-needed political miracle for the people of Mathare. As the youth emerge as the key demographic in Kenyan politics, it is likely that we will see more young people like Kanyi and Wanguhu sway the minds of the electorate and gain political clout and bring change. Old or young; make your vote count on March 4th.

By the way, New Year resolutions suck. At the turn of the year, most people feel an obligation to start over, make new commitments and generally dive blindly into an endless ocean of potential self-improvement. But it’s all a lie. January 1st is just another day on the (man-made) calendar, propped up by the ‘Hallmark’ establishment—where the commercial pressure for self-help is so intense, we buckle under the weight of societal conformity. And if you’re at a loss for ideas on resolutions, just ask Google.

There are plenty of sites willing to guide you in the ‘right’ direction. We found one: Moninavelarde. com/newyears/—a New Years Resolution generator-engine. No thought required, just click the button five times and see what you get. Here’s what we got:

1) Fly to the Moon (Okay, admittedly that’s kind of cool, but of course very impractical.)

2) Spread Kindness (Especially here!)

3) Make a Quilt (Who makes quilts these days?)

4) Watch a Movie in 3D (Seen it. Done it. Next?)

5) Be Curious (You mean like a little, cute, fluffy kitty cat? Come on.) Bah Humbug. If you really want to change the world or yourself, make that an everyday commitment. Wake up and face the music every morning. Change doesn’t happen just one day a year. But hey, everyone’s doing the “resolutions dance”, right? So why shouldn’t we? Let’s at least make it fun. Bowing under the pressure of New Year’s renewal, UP tried to imagine our fair city as a person—a live human being with the Name ‘Nairobi’.

What would her resolutions be? How would she want to start-over in 2013 with a clean slate? Ms. Nairobi’s top five resolutions for the New Year are: 1) Lose Weight: “There’s a lot of fat at City Council and Parliament that I could easily drop through some spinning classes at Parklands Club. No one would miss the poundage.”

2) Get a Facial: “With all the illegal dumping, 2012 was an especially dirty and nasty year for me. I’m sure basic enforcement of the NEMA’s pollution laws would sort out the worst offenders, right?”

3) Stop Drinking: ”Well not completely, but at least when I know that I’m going to drive.”

4) Spend more time with my family: “In the lovely, vibrant metropolis that is ‘I’, there is no need stay at home when you can join the rest of my community at the many art exhibitions, concerts, plays, movies and events my home has to offer. Get off the couch, yo.”

5) Get a job: “There’s all these poor guys all over my streets without jobs getting into trouble. With elections around the corner, 2013 has to be the year where my government does something to stamp out unemployment.” In all seriousness, as we stare down the barrel of another election, a better city starts with you. Don’t give a bribe. Don’t throw your trash out the window. And, don’t be reckless and put others in danger. We hope you think these are all worthy causes for making Nairobi a better place to live in 2013.

Okay, maybe New Year’s resolutions aren’t so bad, provided they don’t turn into excuses and you can keep them. One resolution you should all have is to read more of UP magazine starting with our Year in Review issue, with such stories as: Top Five Musicians to Look Out for in 2013, Best Photography of 2012 and A Case for Arts and Culture in Kenya’s Transitional Year. Looking forward to seeing you around town in the New Year. Be safe.

Monday, January 14th witnessed a demonstration by civil and human rights societies against the MPs' decision to award themselves hefty perks. The procession began around 11.00 a.m. at the Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park before proceeding to Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue then Parliament buildings where an effigy of the Members of Parliament dubbed "Judas Iscariot" was tied and hanged at the main gate.

The procession then ended at the Office of the President where a petition was delivered. The protest saw vehicles with GK number plates heckled out of the way of the procession as the seemingly discontent people shouted “Mwizi! Mwizi!” (Thief! Thief!) in reference to the bloated government expenditure on state officers perceived to ride in the mostly trendy cars. Reverend Timothy Njoya, known for similar protests during the Moi era, spoke to the gathering. He condemned the MPs’ disregard for the Constitution, saying that they were increasing the tax burden for the Kenyan public and accused them of betrayal.

Reading a verse from the Bible, Rev. Njoya compared them to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. “These MPs are guilty of enriching themselves from blood money,” he reiterated. Atsango Chesoni, the Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission also pointed a finger at the MPs. Chesoni condemned their usurping the role of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission which is mandated to determine the salaries and other payments to public servants. She called this “an act of treason” at a time Kenyans when overburdened by insecurity and joblessness. “Our leaders are culpable of abuse of office at the expense of poorly paid and overworked taxpayers,” she said.

Meanwhile, President Kibaki declined to append his signature on the controversial bill but has remained vague on his own Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill, 2012, as well as other retirement emoluments to be awarded to MPs, Cabinet ministers and senior civil servants. According to a statement on the MPs Retirement Package, these benefits included state funerals, diplomatic passports, drivers to all 42 Cabinet ministers and their 55 deputies.

Most grievously, The National Assembly Remuneration Act would have given all 222 MPs KES 9.3 million at the expense of the taxpayer. Among other prominent people present at the demonstration were Davinder Lamba of Mazingira Institute and Human Rights lawyer, Harun Ndubi. Mr Stanley Kamande, Under Secretary for the Provincial Administration in the Office of the President received the petition and promised to forward it to the President.

Find more images from the protest march here.

The national elections in March 2013 are just around the corner. On one hand, these elections will provide an opportunity to choose our political leaders and on the other hand, they will (by design) trigger a series of constitutional and governance changes, which are bound to transform our citizen interactions and our relationship with the state.

As we cross over to a better democratic system--as defined in our new constitution--we are reminded that democracy is more than the sum of its institutions. Democracy depends largely on the civic culture of the citizens. In a democracy, citizens make free decisions about where they will work, what kind of work they will do, where they will live, whether to join a political party, what to read and so on. These are personal decisions, not political decisions and it is in helping construct these decisions that the arts play a central role. Through their art, artists provide an ongoing reflection of who we are.

They suggest solutions. They grieve and roar in pain and anger. They know when things aren’t fair and they speak out. Then they encourage us to think and feel along with them. The arts remind us that we are in this together, that we are not alone in our individual thoughts and feelings. Art persuades us that things can be made right and whole, if even just for a few fleeting moments. We are reminded that the individual can do great things, and individuals acting together can do even more. In some way, the arts can help unravel the tensions between our need for autonomy as individuals and the responsibilities which come with belonging to a group including tribes, social classes, generations, counties or nations.

It is true that democracy and art can only thrive in a condition of freedom; freedom to create, to self-define, to experiment, to explore the world of the human mind and spirit as citizens in a free society pursuing their interests, exercising their rights, and taking responsibility for their own lives. For these reasons, the challenge for cultural institutions and curators of artistic excellence lies in developing people as a resource. By linking together individuals for collaboration and experimentation in order to give way to new stories, cultivate new audiences and build a community around the exploration of new ideas, because the arts are permanently entangled within life itself. The Nest is one such cultural organization that is willing to become a useful playground in which artists and curious minds can test solid new ideas unconditionally within a context of vigorous debate.

We have come together to create an environment for the development of artistic outputs through fun programs: active workshops, individual consultancy, group critiques, inter-artist dialogues and project funding. At the Nest, we would like to go beyond getting audiences to fill seats and watch interpretations of their lives. We want to stir them to take part in developing that which is not yet created. Something different from what we know and have known. The arts can help us create a shared language, shared experiences and ultimately, shared values. An important value intractably linked to democracy is respect for all values, even the ones we do not share.

We believe that we can become a better democracy because the arts nourish us. We can have a vigorous economy because the arts inspire and model our creative responses. We can be healthy individuals because of the insights and space for insight that the arts continue to provide. Deep down, we are convinced that the arts are central to the sustenance, renovation, celebration and re-creation of our life together in Kenya.

George Gachara (www.georgegachara.com) is a youth worker, an author, a designer of learning programs and a speaker. He is also a co-director at The Nest, a Global Fellow of the International Youth Foundation and the recipient of International Development Committee’s Outstanding Leadership Award (2011).