Quest for Dreams: Kenyan Youth Identity at the Crossroads of Globalization

Since the 21st century, the process of globalization has been accelerating. Kenya has experienced all-round changes in politics, economy and culture in this wave. Consequently, the identity of Kenyan youth has become diversified and complex. This study analyzes two youthful protagonists in Ken Walibora's Swahili children's novel Ndoto ya Amerika (The American Dream), examining how ethnical politics, multilingualism, and mass media influence Kenyan youth identity from the perspective of global-local interactions. The study found that Kenyan youth are eager to integrate into modern globalized lifestyles, but it is difficult to get rid of the influence of local factors. This identity dilemma not only reflects their existential struggles between tradition and modernity, but also manifests their subjectivity in promoting social change and seeking their own positioning.