Veteran radio presenter Maina Kageni is challenging traditional working norms of employees working from 8am to 5pm, confessing that he has never worked 8-5 in his life.
Kageni revealed this during the morning conversation on Classic 105 FM where they were discussing about Generation Z’s approach to employment and productivity, with Kageni asserting that this younger demographic is actively trying to break the slave mentality associated with rigid office hours.
The discussion highlighted a perceived disconnect between older generations and Gen Z. Employers are reportedly hesitant to hire Gen Z, accusing them of “laziness“.
The core of the debate revolved around the traditional expectation for employees to be in the office from 8 to 5 pm. Kageni challenged this.
“I‘ve never worked 8 to 5 in my life. Who says you need to work 8 to 5 and what is the necessity for someone to work 10 hours a day to be productive?“ Kageni questioned.
Instead, the conversation posited that Gen Z operates on a different paradigm, one aligned with the current technological age.
Examples were given of individuals who can “make 20,000 shillings a day working for two hours on a laptop”.
The sources indicate that Gen Z faces a dual challenge: they are “not trusted by employers” and “not trusted by their parents“.
Parents on the show acknowledged that their children are “made different” and suggested that older generations need to understand this current generation that Kageni boldly prophesied that it will change Kenya for good.
The discussion indicated that Gen Z has observed the mistakes of older generations and learned from them, choosing not to be like them.
“Let me tell you the generation that’s going to change Kenya is this Gen Z and I really hope they get their act together because when they take control of this country is when you see Africa grow.”
“These kids are wiser beyond their years. They’ve watched you make mistake after mistake. They’ve learned from your mistakes. So they don’t listen. And they are not going to be like you,” he added.
The conversation concluded with a call for bridging the divide between generations. While acknowledging Gen Z’s innovative methods, some participants urged the young generation not to “totally disconnect themselves” and to respect societal values.
BY moses sagwe
