Our Executive Director Dr. Philip Pande recently had the honor of addressing the Youth Leaders Forum organized by the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association during the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Parliament Mini Chambers. The speech highlighted the vital role of youth in leadership and transformative change, drawing inspiration from Dr. King’s enduring legacy. Here is the full speech delivered during this impactful event.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY PHILIP PANDE, PHD, TO THE YOUTH LEADERS CONVENED BY THE KENYA YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIANS ASSOCIATION ON THE COMMEMORATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR, MINI CHAMBERS, PARLIAMENT BUILDING NAIROBI, MONDAY 20, JANUARY 2024
1. Honourable Speaker; Honourable Leaders of the KYPA represented by Sen. Hezena Lemaletian and the CEO, Mr Antony Buluma; Honourable members of this Youth Assembly;
2. I am profoundly pleased to address you at such a remarkable moment when we commemorate the world's most decorated, visionary, and impactful leader.
3. While the US is marking the 30th Anniversary of the National Day of Service, inspired by the life of Dr. King, it is extraordinary for me today for two reasons;
4. Firstly, I am making my maiden speech as a doctor. Doctor of Social Service awarded by Maryland State University last Friday, underpinning my dedication to volunteerism in society, especially youth mentorship. A day later, the World School Summit at Help University, Kuala Lumpur, honoured me as an Outstanding Mentor of the Year. I dedicate these accolades to you, comrades, for your unwavering support and the inspiration from the life of Dr. King.
5. Secondly, I am thrilled to speak to a crop of emerging social change drivers devoted to serving grassroots communities while united by their love for the nation. Your selfless commitment to pursuing Nationalism and accountable and transparent leadership is loud and unprecedented.
6. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr must be genuinely pleased with your efforts.
7. Today, the Kenyan Youth is revered and emulated everywhere in the global village for their bold and authentic actions. Actions against public officers that epitomise no good but corruption, despicable greed and unfathomable disrespect to the citizens.
Honourable Members;
8. Now more than ever, the Kenyan government and leaders in public office are aware of the propensity to substitute rather than insulate them. It is a real stab at the status quo.
9. For the record, who was alive when Dr. Martin Luther King Junior lived? Perhaps the eldest in this assembly today was only born a quarter century after the fateful events of April 4, 1968. Yet, we all draw unparalleled motivation from him compared to any leader today.
10. On this special day, I am obliged to take you down memory lane with some irreplaceable words from Dr KING. These reflections have significantly propelled me in my leadership journey, and I quote;
11. "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." We must be defined by the priority of serving others. And indeed, Luther remarked..."Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"
12. I'm encouraged that most of us here today are deeply disturbed by our comrades' suffering in our various jurisdictions and the social injustices in our communities and country. That must be the overarching agenda.
13. "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase". To vote for the first youth president in this country in the next elections, we must exercise absolute faith in our capacity as young leaders and trust that God will give us the fortitude to defy the odds.
14. "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear". To make a lasting difference in governing the country, we must break the curse of love for the tribe and broaden our love for Kenya.
Honourable Members, Martin Luther King Jr reminds us that;
15. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". We must not remain silent when any one of us is in trouble. Abducted. Can't afford university admission, among other prevailing injustices.
16. Yet, in speaking truth to power, we must devise non-violent means of communication. As PLO Lumumba reckons..."When you speak to people, do not do it to inflame their emotions but do it with the firmness that opens their eyes." We must exercise respect as we remain authentic.
17. Lastly, and this is my all-time best from Martin Luther King Junior; "We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there "is" such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action."
Honourable Members, I thank you!