Youth leader and political analyst Alfred Makotsi says Kenya is still in the early stages of democratic maturity, nearly six decades after independence.

During an interview with Radio Generation, he described Africa’s experience with democracy as relatively new compared to its origins in ancient Greece, noting that most African nations only began practicing self-rule after colonial powers handed over governance systems less than a century ago.

Makotsi said democracy operates on a “winner takes all” principle, which Kenyans must learn to accept while allowing elected leaders the space to serve their terms.

At the same time, he argued that the opposition’s role should be to offer alternative ideas rather than attempt to bring down the government.

“In the Kenyan context, we should accept that you are elected, you are given a mandate of four or five years, and you are given space to perform. At the same time, the opposition should oppose, not to bring down the government, but give alternative ideas that even the government of the day can consider,” Makotsi said.

He questioned whether Kenya is practising mature politics, concluding that the answer is both yes and no.

On one hand, the political analyst said the country has made progress compared to other African nations, with some level of issue-based politics.

“We can talk about the economy, the youth bulge, job creation, and even to some extent, there are leaders who are elected based on their track record as MCAs, MPs, senators and governors,” he observed.

Makotsi also pointed to the recent wave of youth-led protests against the Finance Bill as an encouraging sign of political maturity.

He said the demonstrations, which cut across tribal lines, demanded changes such as repealing the housing levy, scrapping taxes on sanitary towels, and tackling corruption.

“It is only in this country that you will find the young people going to the street, not looking at their tribe, but raising issues like the Finance Bill,” the youth leader said.

However, Makotsi stressed that tribal politics still dominates the Kenyan landscape, with most leaders elected because they belong to a major ethnic group rather than because of their policies or ideology.

“To a little extent, we are having a clear direction of mature politics. But to a large extent, I think we are still engulfed in the immature politics that is based mostly on tribe and resources without any ideology,” he said.