This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
It's been six months since the Riverside attack, and the question on everyone's mind is: what measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?
The fact that the attackers were not the stereotypical individuals of Somali heritage, but rather individuals from the president's county, should be a worrying sign.
Our turbulent ethnic issues are rooted in the notion that certain tribes are more advantaged than others. However, we've seen that even youth from advantaged localities feel marginalised, and what about others?
Recently, I attended a university graduation ceremony, where a family was celebrating their child's achievements in a fancy hotel. As I watched, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity and worry for the young graduates.
Every time I see youth in their graduation gowns, it's difficult for me to say 'congratulations.' I feel as though that remark is far from the truth. The black gowns hint at the funeral future awaiting them, and instead of feeling excited, I'm left with a sense of 'woiye,' a silent prayer that they transition into the big bad world smoothly.
As youth continue to get frustrated, they'll become more vulnerable to radicalisation. We need to think beyond boda boda ventures and short-term ideas. A young person will be excited about owning a motorcycle, but it's a risky business, and some will eventually want to grow their career to something else.
Many boda boda riders have degrees, but they're there because there are no alternatives. With the job market being sluggish, it makes more sense to start your own business than look for employment. However, there are those who work tirelessly to make ends meet against all sorts of resistance and obstacles.
Markets and streets filled with second-hand clothes are bustling with sellers and buyers. Youth carrying merchandise in sacks, looking from side to side for any glimmer of the city council, is a clear indication that there are no alternatives, so they're desperate.
It's easier to attract young people to terrorist groups when they feel marginalised. These are youth who often feel that there's absolutely nothing else left. More recently, we're seeing graduates joining extremist groups, no longer just poorly educated youth from slum areas.
There should be a strong push towards creating conducive environments for youth to grow businesses. Those that are working should be enhanced, such as Gikomba. We need to search for ways of making a 24-hour economy in some cities a reality and a priority.
Allowing people to sell their products at certain hours on certain streets, or creating spaces for them, can be more organised ways to create conducive environments. I understand that there are markets being built to reduce the amount of hawkers, but some of these buildings are a distance from the CBD and may not attract customers because of the location.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa is executive director of Siasa Place. Twitter: @NerimaW
