The Role of Indigenous African Religio-Ethical Values in the African Renaissance: A Case of Young Graduates in Kenya

Abstract

This study investigates the role of indigenous African religio-ethical values, particularly focusing on the concept of Ubuntu in the African Renaissance. It explores the perspectives of young graduates in Kenya and aims to contribute to the scholarly debate regarding the significance of the ethical values of Ubuntu in Africa's reconstruction. The study emphasizes the importance of culture in societal transformation, drawing upon Afrocentricity and Ubuntu theories as the theoretical framework. By examining the perceptions of young graduate students from four institutions of higher learning in Nairobi, the research explores the potential links between Ubuntu spiritual philosophy and the African Renaissance, as well as the influence of education on the alignment of youth identity with Ubuntu values and Africa's transformation. The findings indicate that university education inadequately incorporates the African worldview encapsulated in Ubuntu, suggesting a need for higher education to develop an appropriate epistemology that emphasizes interconnectedness and interdependence. This study addresses a knowledge gap by exploring the perspectives of young graduates and shedding light on the importance of indigenous African religio-ethical values in shaping Africa's future.