Give youth a reason to believe in State recruitment again

The depth to which our youth have lost faith in recruitment ought to worry Kenya. This should worry human resource managers in public institutions. The intense competition should require a high transparency bar, lest the declining confidence in the processes will have consequences.

While on a stopover at Laisamis, Marsabit, I spontaneously veered into a discussion with some youth on how they view their future, and the opportunities available. They were uptight.

I asked whether they’d join the ranks of officers such as those manning the traffic and security checks on the highway. That did it. “I would want to but it’s impossible. The recruitment processes for such officers are a farce. Recruits are often pre-selected. A lot depends on the size of one’s pocket. I cannot waste my time since mine is not deep,” said one.

Another seemed to rub it in when he observed that during the track race, those who emerge first never make it.

“It’s usually others — some of whom don’t even run — who make the list”, he asserted.

So,what gainful activity do they plan to engage themselves in now that they are done with school, I sought to know. Put in Kiswahili, what they shared breaks hearts.

For now, they will keep themselves busy with menial jobs in the stone quarries, part of the construction industry material supply chain, they said. We spoke about vocational training opportunities and leadership too. Clearly, these youth have little confidence in the empowerment systems and the leadership around them. They feel left to themselves.

I have had a similar discussion with youth in Runyenjes, Embu County. They are angry and disillusioned.

They particularly deplore drives for recruitment into the disciplined forces. They too deem it a needless, pre-determined exercise. But it’s the conviction and anger with which they express themselves about it that alarms. Hence the reason I decided to discuss it this week.

I have heard these defeatist sentiments in a number of other places. I’ve always sought to specifically find out whether any discussant has had a personal experience with the alleged rent-seeking. None so far!

I am always told about others. But this doesn’t suffice to dismiss their sentiments. Youth living in such different geographical and cultural ecosystems cannot share views that completely converge on the subject.

And even if there were no substance to their concerns, then there’s a serious perception problem which completely dispirits them and continues to give well-meant national recruitment processes a bad name.

It’s, therefore, incumbent upon those responsible — issues of affirmative action notwithstanding — to audit the respective systems and tweak them to enhance transparency.

Then, even where unsuccessful, competing youth will be content that opportunity went to the deserving best.

But bottom line? We all owe a duty of care and mentorship to our youth.