The Impact of Politics on Youth Mentorship Initiatives in Kenya: A Case Study of Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy

1. Introduction

Mentorship is a sustained relationship in which a more experienced individual (the mentor) guides and supports the development of a less experienced person (the mentee) (Kram, 1985). In contexts where formal education systems may fail to impart crucial 21st-century skills like critical thinking and innovation, mentorship becomes a vital complementary mechanism for youth development (Njoroge, 2017, as cited in Suter). The African development landscape is replete with mentorship initiatives aimed at bridging this gap and empowering youth to be job creators rather than job seekers (Munroe, n.d., as cited in Suter).

However, the operating environment for such initiatives is not neutral. As Aristotle noted, humans are political animals, and politics invariably influences all social facets. In Kenya, electoral cycles are often characterized by heightened tension and volatility, which can disrupt socioeconomic activities (Cheeseman, 2008). While the macroeconomic impacts of political instability are well-documented, its effects on small-scale, grassroots educational programs remain under-explored.

This paper presents a case study of Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy to analyze how Kenya's political climate impacts youth mentorship. It details the program's philosophy and activities, documents the specific challenges encountered during the 2017-2018 electoral period, and concludes with a reflective resolution on maintaining program integrity through political neutrality.

2. Literature Review

The critical role of mentorship in youth development is well-established. Research indicates that effective mentoring relationships can lead to positive academic, career, and psychosocial outcomes (DuBois & Karcher, 2014). In Africa, mentorship is increasingly seen as a tool for fostering entrepreneurship and countering youth unemployment by developing "soft skills" and growth mindsets (Adewale, 2017).

Conversely, the detrimental effects of political instability on education are also recognized. Political violence and uncertainty can lead to school closures, reduced educational funding, and diminished educational quality (Justino, 2016). However, the literature primarily focuses on formal education. There is a gap concerning the impact on non-formal, volunteer-driven initiatives like mentorship academies, which often operate with minimal infrastructure and are highly vulnerable to environmental shocks. This case study seeks to fill that gap by illustrating how political tides directly impede grassroots educational efforts and, by extension, stifle youth potential.

3. Methodology

This research adopts a qualitative case study design (Yin, 2018) centered on Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy. The author served as a participant-observer, and data were derived from:

• Reflective practice on program administration during the 2017-2018 Kenyan electoral period.
• Documented interactions with over 40 mentees.
• Analysis of operational challenges linked directly to the political environment.

This methodological approach allows for an in-depth, contextual exploration of the phenomenon within its real-life context.

4. Analysis and Discussion

4.1. The Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy: Philosophy and Model

Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy was founded on the philosophy that an "educated mind" is not merely a repository of facts but a problem-solving tool trained for critical thinking and innovation. The program operates on two tiers:

1. Partial Mentorship: Focused on practical guidance for securing international scholarships and study opportunities.
2. Comprehensive Mentorship: A holistic curriculum covering personal development, leadership, ethical power, and leveraging one's "ikigai" (a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being") to turn passion into profit and purpose.

The academy successfully guided over 40 mentees in its first year, with several securing admissions to top-tier global universities.

4.2. The Impact of Politics: Operational Disruption

The prolonged electoral period in 2017-2018 presented significant, tangible challenges:

• Constrained Mobility: Political tensions and insecurity made physical travel to meet mentees in different counties (Nairobi, Nakuru, Baringo, Uasin Gishu) unsafe or impractical, leading to incomplete mentorship sessions.
• Missed Opportunities: Key scholarship application deadlines passed unmet as both mentors and mentees were preoccupied with or impeded by the political situation.
• Stalled Growth: Strategic plans to scale the program to all 47 counties and partner with national schools and universities were forcibly put on hold. Invitations to conduct mentorship in other counties were declined due to the volatile environment.

These disruptions underscore how political instability acts as a direct barrier to educational access and opportunity, effectively "wasting the potential" of young Kenyans.

4.3. Towards a Resolution: The Imperative of Political Neutrality

Confronted with these challenges and the emotionally divisive nature of Kenyan politics, the author adopted a formal stance of political neutrality. This resolution entails:

• Refusing to campaign for or against any political candidate.
• Maintaining a commitment to work with all elected officials irrespective of party affiliation.
• Actively disengaging from politically charged discussions to preserve focus on the program's mission.

This apolitical position is not one of indifference but a strategic choice to insulate the mentorship mission from the cyclical disruption of politics, ensuring its sustainability and focus on transformative, positive youth development.

5. Recommendations

Based on the experiences documented in this case study, the following recommendations are proposed for practitioners and policymakers:

1. For Grassroots Initiatives: Mentorship and youth programs should institutionalize operational plans that account for political cycles, including developing remote delivery capabilities and flexible timelines for critical activities.
2. For Educational Leaders: Universities and colleges should formally integrate critical thinking and mentorship training into their curricula to build youth resilience against political manipulation.
3. For Policymakers: County and national governments should create and protect civic spaces that allow apolitical youth development programs to thrive during all seasons, recognizing them as essential partners in national development.

6. Conclusion

This case study has demonstrated that the political environment in Kenya is not a mere backdrop but an active and disruptive force against grassroots youth empowerment. The experience of Eagle Wings Mentorship Academy shows that political volatility directly constrains mobility, truncates opportunities, and stifles the growth of vital non-formal education initiatives. The adoption of a steadfastly apolitical stance emerges as a critical strategy for safeguarding the mission of mentorship from the corrosive and divisive nature of partisan politics. For Kenya to harness its "greatest renewable resource"—the energy and enthusiasm of its youth—the ecosystem supporting their growth must be protected from perennial political disruption.

The lesson extends beyond mentorship: any grassroots initiative focused on long-term human development must recognize that political cycles are not temporary inconveniences but structural features of the Kenyan environment. Building resilience into program design—through remote delivery, flexible scheduling, and political neutrality—is not optional but essential for sustainability. The potential of Kenya's youth is too precious to be held hostage by the political calendar.