Youths on The Frontline: UNODC Kenya

Mrs. Pamela Mutembei, Head of Business and Marketing,
Credit Bank awards Dowe Music &Arts

A rare opportunity it was to represent Nakuru County, YALI Network as well as DoweMusic & Arts in the United Nations on Drugs and Crime initiative targeting the youths in Kenya. The conference, themed as NATIONAL YOUTH WORKSHOP ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, INTEGRITY AND ANTICORRUPTION took place between 5-7^th December 2018. I must confess that this is a spectacular move by the UN organizations and must needs not stop. 250 young people were selected from a pool of 2000 aspirants to spearhead the unanimous resolve of embracing good governance and saying no to corruption, a menace that has eaten up Kenya so bad that it is still classified as an underdeveloped country.

Nairobi Governor (Left) Arriving

We have always stated in our Art4Leadership Events that the youths have all it takes to course positive change that will last not only in Africa but the world at large. It was a great honor to meet young people who organized this event led by Ms. Wambui Kahara. Throughout the event, one could only admire as well as get inspired by the synergy, unction and the zeal exhibited by the young leaders as they ran up and down to ensure that the delegates had a conducive environment. ‘Life' between the UN setting and the choice hotels was amazing as the participants interacted freely, aired their opinions and provided valuable feedback whenever required to.

Dignitaries, including Nairobi’s Governor Mr. Sonko applauded the youths for their efforts. His testimony on the past criminal life was moving and at the same time motivational. He reminded the youths thus:

Your past should not dictate your future.

Madam Charity Kagwi, an expert on matters Criminal Justice shocked us with statistics on the number of youths in jail. Isn’t it a concern that 68.5% of the cell occupants are 35 years below of age? Isn’t it even more disturbing that the youths are leading in the population of drunkards and a rendered-useless populace generation? Who shall save us if not our own resolve? The point is, we as the young people have the energy to say no to vices. We have the drive to channel our energies in the right direction. We cannot rely on the passing generation entirely anymore since some of them could even be worse. We are the hope of our time. Let us arise. Now is the time, what are you waiting for?

Mrs. Charity Kagwi, On Urban Crime and Criminal Justice

Being an artiste, I must say it was impressive of the organizers for the opportunities they gave musicians, poets and visual artistes to teach the youths. Teardrop made it clear that most of the spaces we see labeled as CORRUPTION FREE ZONES are in fact Corruption FEE Zones. As J.F. Kennedy would put it, an artiste’s work is the lens through which the society can see itself. One can quickly recall Sauti Sol’s Tujiangalie vis a vis the current scandals in Kenya. This begs the question, what do you listen out for in Music, a drawing or a poem? We were also happy to wrap the session with the celebrated songbird WAHU who led us in Eric Wainaina’s Daima Mkenya before public demand dictated that she does her Sweet Love tune. I mentioned the other day that artistes are not just empty shells. They are reliable people that can give counsel to the society. This is what Juliani did. His message was clear that we have to go beyond eloquence and academic accomplishments to provoke change. We must get tired of the norm! The same message would be echoed later by a another artiste in the paint world, Mr. Mukabwa.

Since I hadn’t asked prior to the conference as to whether i would perform, there was no way I’d be slotted in the program because I was just a delegate, known by none as an artiste. However, attire will always tell, especially accompanied by a guitar or violin. One of the correspondences, Mr. Timothy asked me whether I’d play during the conference. I’m sure you know the answer.  Well, thanks to fellow YALI Alumni from Nakuru and cohort 28 who joined me at Trade Mark Hotel on the second night. 

With time, we had a crowd singing to some of the compositions like Say No to Poor Leadership, Mimi Na Wewe and Carry On. Out of nowhere, someone spotted Hon. Amb. (Dr.) Amina, Cabinet Secretary for Education. She joined us listening to the message we put across about the resolve to cause relevant change in Africa. The following day is when I got an opportunity to sing the same song to 130 youths tackling Urban Crime and Criminal Justice.

By mid-morning Friday, the framework document we had been working on was ready for presentation to the UN and the Government. This is a sign that we have sensible youths in this country. News about appointment of a 91-year-old in a board kept disturbing the youthful champions. The president’s remark on the same however taught me something. We both hate each other; the youth and the elderly. No one trusts the other. This must stop. As much as there are errand boys and girls in here, we only remain naive if we box everyone in the same basket of rotten eggs. Conversely, the fact that we have senseless and foolish old chaps in this country does not invalidate the existence of wise, considerate and reliable old folks, regardless of their age. For a mutual coexistence, the elderly and the youths must create an ecosystem of trusting each other. Seeking to understand the other party is the antidote to the many fights that this world continues to experience.

Mr. Peter Moll Presenting the youths' resolutions

I was not prepared for the Recognition of Dowe Music &Arts by Credit Bank. I remember applying for the $500 grant shortly after completing a course from YALI dubbed Fundamentals of Grant Writing. You can access the course by clicking here The lecturer had quoted the famous line:

One must have written close to 15 applications to win the first one. 

This was my third. I didn’t qualify for the Google Impact challenge, and I am waiting for results for the second one. Besides the boost from the funds, I wish to let Credit Bank and the UN to know what the recognition meant to us at Dowe Music & Arts:

•     We are doing something positive in the society
•    Someone is always watching, keep doing what you were meant to do
•   The only shortcut to success is determination for she never stoops

My heartfelt gratitude goes to the ALMIGHTY GOD. YALI NETWORK, UNDOC, CREDIT BANK and DOWE MUSIC &ARTS Team.

The writer is the founding director;

Dowe Music & Arts