BWIRE: Why young Kenyans no longer believe hard work pays
This opinion piece argues that systemic corruption in Kenya is eroding the belief that hard work leads to success among the youth. The author calls for stricter prosecution of corrupt officials and a shift toward merit-based opportunities to restore public trust.
Why it matters
It highlights the socio-economic impact of corruption on youth morale and national development in emerging economies.
One of the greatest injustices facing Kenya today is not only corruption itself, but the message it sends to millions of young people: that hard work does not pay.
A quick random sample of feedback from boda boda riders would quickly entrench this narrative that hard-work in Kenya doesn’t pay, given that many the riders are either overqualified individuals with tertiary education papers, high school dropouts or with only an O-level high school certificate.
This is replicated in so many other small-scale careers.
When individuals in our country accumulate unexplained wealth without consequence, while honest citizens struggle despite years of education and dedication, the wrong values become deeply entrenched. This dangerous narrative discourages ambition, especially among the youth, weakens integrity through generations and erodes public trust.
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