By Tobias Ogutu
“Nepalese youths take to the streets, storm parliament, and set it on fire…” “Kenyan youths, also known as Gen Z, engage police in running battles as they protest the death of an online government critic in police custody…” “Israel attacks Doha in its ongoing conflict with Hamas…” These are the current headlines you will encounter on global news channels. These events clearly illustrate the challenges faced by various states worldwide, suggesting that the world has indeed been turned upside down. The root cause of all these man-made calamities is a system that fails to embrace democracy and inclusivity but instead fosters insecurity.
The world today feels abnormal; events often unfold in unexpected ways, including natural phenomena. Students in Western countries who pursue technological courses study diligently, hoping to secure jobs, only to graduate and find that employers prefer robots over them. In my homeland, Africa—specifically Kenya—post-election chaos has become the norm. Corruption is deeply entrenched; funds intended for disaster preparedness vanish without a trace, and committees formed to investigate these issues require budgets larger than the missing amounts. All these injustices occur with public awareness. However, when citizens attempt to rise against them, the system employs insecurities to suppress their efforts.
In Kenya, the majority of citizens do not trust the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to oversee a free and fair election in 2027. This mistrust stems from past experiences and the country’s deeply polarized state. Leaders who should unite the people instead focus on dividing them to gain political advantage. Any attempt by ordinary individuals to challenge these political barriers is often met with violence from hired thugs or abduction by state agents, undermining democracy. For example, the death of a Kenyan online influencer in police custody, after exposing information about the Inspector General (IG) of Police, clearly highlights the erosion of democratic principles.
In the United States of America, a global superpower, political insecurity is evident. A Democrat is often discouraged from supporting a Republican, even if the latter’s manifesto is superior to that of their own party’s candidate. If this is the case in the U.S., then true civilization has yet to be achieved worldwide. Democracy dictates that every individual has the right to oppose what is wrong and harmful to the people, even if it means going against their tribe, political party, religion, or other affiliations.
The future of democracy worldwide is at risk unless inclusive practices are ensured. Countries must involve their citizens in every project they undertake, listen to their concerns, and prioritize equity in representation. Every project should include youth, women, people with disabilities, and individuals from marginalized communities. Such inclusive practices uphold the principles of democracy.
In a country where inclusion is absent due to man-made insecurities, democracy reaches its lowest point and has only one path forward: to rise and improve. Under such circumstances, individuals who feel marginalized will take matters into their own hands; they will challenge the barriers, for example, by joining street protests until their concerns are addressed. A similar scenario occurred in Kenya last year when youths mobilized in large numbers to reject a finance bill that imposed excessive taxes on citizens. Despite the government erecting obstacles such as arrests and ordering the shooting of protesters, the youths did not relent until they stormed the parliament. Although many lives were lost, the government ultimately withdrew the bill. Recently, in Nepal, similar but more severe incidents targeted the parliament and properties of prominent politicians. These scenarios demonstrate that when insecurities undermine democracy, they compel it to evolve and improve.
Therefore, in any country in the world where injustice exists, people will protest. Hungry individuals cannot be ignored, and thirsty people cannot be silenced. An ideal system that can function effectively in this upside-down world, marked by numerous insecurities, practices democracy and inclusion.
