At a time of sociocultural changes that started questioning established Islamic learning traditions (independence years, post-Cold War/book market liberalization), printing diasporas exerted... Show moreAt a time of sociocultural changes that started questioning established Islamic learning traditions (independence years, post-Cold War/book market liberalization), printing diasporas exerted influence on the circulation of Islamic texts in East Africa: published overseas (Cairo, Beirut, and the Indian subcontinent) and/or locally reprinted on the Swahili-speaking Islamic coast, they came to play a seminal role in negotiating Swahili Muslim literary culture. How have transoceanic religious and intellectual networks operating beyond national borders become intertwined? In this paper, the beginnings of Swahili Muslim book publishing—and the entities underpinning it, such as Nairobi’s Islamic Foundation Center, a Pakistani-oriented charitable foundation—will be outlined. I will then delve into the history of Indian-and-Swahili family-run publishers Adam Traders based in Mombasa in order to tackle hitherto neglected transoceanic connections and patterns of influence across the sea. Show less
This paper focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the education system in Kenya with reference to vocational training institutions. The paper analyses how the provision of vocational... Show moreThis paper focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the education system in Kenya with reference to vocational training institutions. The paper analyses how the provision of vocational training was impacted after Covid-19 from the perspective of principals of colleges, tutors, and students. The paper collected qualitative experiences of the above-mentioned stakeholders to understand to which degree vocational education has been affected by Covid-19. This was accomplished through the use of interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. The study has found that the Covid-19 pandemic completely disrupted learning in six public VTCs as institutions were closed and students and tutors did not meet or interact for more than eight months. It was impossible for a work-based learning model to be used by students after institutions were closed because even the industries and businesses where they were supposed to undertake their practicum and internship programmes downscaled their operations, while others closed down completely. After reopening of VTCs in January 2021, close to 34.8% of their former students did not report back because some of them dropped out, some could not pay fees, some engaged in alcoholism, drugs, and substance abuse, some emigrated to other areas to look for opportunities while some settled down in marriage. It is recommended that guidance and counselling should be continuously provided to tutors and students as a way of addressing the psychological and behavioural challenges brought about by Covid-19, tutors need to be trained on remote learning methodologies (digital skills) and county governments need to invest in setting up infrastructure to support online learning in VTCs. This research provides a realistic picture of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on vocational education and training in public institutions in West Pokot County which is considered to be a marginalised and arid and semi-arid region in the North-western part of Kenya. Show less
The article is a plea for sustaining the indigenous languages of Tanzania and Kenya. These languages display an impressive richness in diversity which is diminishing currently. It is important to... Show moreThe article is a plea for sustaining the indigenous languages of Tanzania and Kenya. These languages display an impressive richness in diversity which is diminishing currently. It is important to appreciate the value of the current linguistic diversity and that of multilingualism. The article is based on a presentation at a conferenceof the Languages of Tanzania project and hence is biased towards the Tanzanian situation. I argue that the success of the language policy of promoting Kiswahili now opens the ways to support the local languagesthat pose no threat to national unity. Given that this article is a plea and one making ample use of my personal experiences of linguistic research in Tanzania and Kenya the style is more personal and lacks the usual detachment of academic papers. Show less
This thesis investigates the potential contribution of the Dutch private sector, and supportive Dutch Private Sector Development policies, to inclusive development (in terms of outcomes and... Show moreThis thesis investigates the potential contribution of the Dutch private sector, and supportive Dutch Private Sector Development policies, to inclusive development (in terms of outcomes and processes) in Kenya in three sectors: tea, flowers and renewable energy. This study is timely and relevant:- To academia, as to date an explicit link between the international private sector operations in developing countries and their contribution to inclusive development has been little explored.- To Dutch government, as it has been continuously supporting policies and initiatives stimulating private sector and economic development in developing countries since the inception of its bilateral aid.- To the Sustainable Development Agenda debate, as the private sector was identified as one of the main strategic partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.This study applied an exploratory research design with the overarching qualitative method of process tracing. Based on the case studies of Unilever Tea Kenya Limited, the flower sector and Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project, this research confirmed that inclusive development prompted by the operations of the private sector can contribute to poverty and inequality reduction but not in its full inclusiveness potential. Moreover, the identified inclusive outcomes are proceeded by lengthy and exclusive political processes. These processes are not only exclusive, but also ‘occlusive’ in nature – they happen behind closed doors among groups of carefully selected strategic actors. Hence, I have coined the term ‘occlusive development’. Overall, support given to the private sector in developing countries by the Dutch government is important, but PSD policies need to be more realistic about what the private sector, in the specific context, can actually do to contribute to a specific dimension of inclusive development in a country. Show less
Spierenburg, M.; Matelski, M.; Zijlstra, S.; Kempen, L. van; Dekker, M.; Nangulu, A.; Otundo, B. 2019
This article presents a first study of the Islamic ideas and social committment expressed through the poetry of Mahmoud Mau, an imam poet and social philantrophist from Kenya. This contribution... Show moreThis article presents a first study of the Islamic ideas and social committment expressed through the poetry of Mahmoud Mau, an imam poet and social philantrophist from Kenya. This contribution aids in illuminating intellectual history and poetic productions from the Eastern African coast. Show less
This article provides a review of the latest status and policy framework for wind energy in Africa. In addition, it takes a close look at Kenya, which is one of the most successful African... Show moreThis article provides a review of the latest status and policy framework for wind energy in Africa. In addition, it takes a close look at Kenya, which is one of the most successful African countries in terms of attracting renewable energy (RE) investments, including the largest wind farm on the continent. Globally, wind energy development needs strong government policy. Following numerous bilateral and multilateral efforts, by 2016, the majority of African countries had defined RE supporting policies, with nearly half also having defined their wind energy targets. However, the review of such policies on the continent as a whole, as well as a closer examination of the situation in Kenya, indicate that established supportive policies and fiscal incentives remain important for the development of wind energy on the African continent but are not the decisive factors. It also suggests that international private participation in energy generation and renewable/wind energy expansion in Africa is critical and expected to increase. Consequently, it may be challenging to ensure that African countries capitalise on their inherent advantage in terms of clean energy during their energy transition processes. Show less
Kamau, P.; Kinyanjui, B.; Akinyoade, A.; Mukoko, C. 2018
This paper documents and assesses productive employment policies in Kenya. The main objective being to reflect on the current state of affairs, identify constraints and gaps among these policies.... Show moreThis paper documents and assesses productive employment policies in Kenya. The main objective being to reflect on the current state of affairs, identify constraints and gaps among these policies. The paper is mainly based on desk-top research which reviews available literature and policy papers on employment in Kenya since independence in 1963 in order to determine how these policies have impacted on productive employment in Kenya.The paper argues that the primary challenge in the labor market in Kenya is not unemployment per se but rather lack of productive employment and decent work among the poor population given that most of the population works in the informal sector. This population working in the informal sector tends to be vulnerable and has low productivity and low earnings, which effectively undermine the efforts for inclusive and sustainable growth. We use the framework related to productive employment to document and analyze different policies. While employment creation has been central in all government policies, the focus has largely been on increasing the number as opposed to the quality of employment creation. It is for this reason the informal economy has remained the main contributor of employment opportunities. Apparently jobs in the informal sector tend to be largely casual, temporary, low wage, and without effective job security.The Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors have potential for creating employment but again the nature of jobs in these two sectors remain largely casual which compromises on productive employment. To promote productive employment, these sectors require increased funding and establishment of stakeholders’ consultative forums. There is also the need to attract FDI most of which come with better terms of employment compared to indigenous investments. Show less
Matelski, M.; Otundo, B.; Zijlstra, S.; Dekker, M.; Kempen, L. van; Nangulu, A.; Spierenburg, M. 2018
The flower sector in Kenya accounted for over 65 per cent of new jobs created in the agricultural sector between 2010 and 2015 and remains a major employer in the country. The floriculture value... Show moreThe flower sector in Kenya accounted for over 65 per cent of new jobs created in the agricultural sector between 2010 and 2015 and remains a major employer in the country. The floriculture value chain involves a variety of players involved in activities, such as plant development and growing, providing necessary inputs, transport and handling – each of them generating a part of the direct or indirect employment. The quality of this employment is, however, less clear.In 1978, the flowers’ export volume was 3,000 tons. Since then, the sector has grown by an average of 16 per cent per year in terms of volume and 25 per cent in terms of value of production. Foreign investors and partners played a critical role in launching and expanding the floriculture industry in Kenya. Dutch companies started flower export businesses, and Dutch and Israeli advisors have been important sources of technical support. Initially, large and medium flower farms were mostly owned by foreigners, Kenyans of foreign descent or members of the Kenyan (political) elite. Kenyan smallholders were also involved in flower growing at that stage. In 2016, approximately 190 flower farms and 5,000 smallholder farmers were involved in the flower production. Today, flower growing is done predominantly by Kenyan-owned farms, while Dutch companies dominate the breeding and propagation activities. Growers provide the highest employment opportunities in the entire chain, predominantly for women, due to the labour intensive character of their operations. Breeders, propagators and other companies in the chain hire less people directly but create important indirect employment in the sector.The support of the Kenyan government in promoting the floriculture sector was mixed through the years and was not the decisive factor in the sector development. The success of the industry is, to an extent, a result of the capacity of the private sector to develop independently from the state and the capacity to quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Following the rapid development of the sector in the mid-1990s, flower companies have been criticized for poor labour standards and a number of other abusive practices. In response to this criticism, the companies have adapted a range of international and national social and environmental standards that should lead to improved labour conditions.This working paper’s primary objective is to assess to the extent to which the flower sector and the jobs created have been sustainable, inclusive and productive; and whether there are any differences between practices and quality of employment created by the international players, particularly Dutch companies in comparison to the non-Dutch counterparts. The secondary objective is to assess and understand what are the main challenges for the companies in the flower sector to create and maintain (productive) employment, as well as other pitfalls in their day-to-day operations. For this purpose, a mixed methods approach to data collection was implemented, including a sector-wide standardized questionnaire, case studies and a number of key informant interviews. This report concludes with a set of policy recommendations targeting the Kenyan government and the international community. Show less
In 2050 zullen er in de Afrikaanse steden naar schatting 1,3 miljard mensen wonen, tweemaal zoveel als in heel Europa. Deze steden ontwikkelen zich vanuit een geheel eigen dynamiek. De stad Kisumu... Show moreIn 2050 zullen er in de Afrikaanse steden naar schatting 1,3 miljard mensen wonen, tweemaal zoveel als in heel Europa. Deze steden ontwikkelen zich vanuit een geheel eigen dynamiek. De stad Kisumu in Kenia telt in 2018 700.000 inwoners, waarvan er 550.000 in krottenwijken wonen. De informele straateconomie beheerst de openbare ruimte en levert de meeste werkgelegenheid. Bijna de helft van de mensen leeft onder de absolute armoedegrens. In zijn onderzoek richt Rob van Gemert zich op Obunga, een wijk van Kisumu. Hij schetst een beeld van het wonen en werken in deze krottenwijk. Samen met de bewoners zoekt hij naar mogelijkheden om de wijk te verbeteren. Terwijl hij door de wijk loopt, rondkijkt, luistert en vergadert, vormt zich een integraal plan. De eigenheid van de wijk vormt hierbij het uitgangspunt; niet als probleem, maar juist als oplossing. Dan presenteert het stadsbestuur een stedenbouwkundig plan, ontworpen door Franse adviseurs. Ze hebben een nieuw imago voor het centrum bedacht, negeren de straateconomie volledig en willen alle krottenwijken ombouwen tot woongebieden voor de middenklasse. “Niemand luistert naar ons”, zeggen de mensen in Obunga. Show less
Youth ‘languages’ are an important topic of research in the domain of linguisticchange through language contact because the change is rapid and observableand also because the social dimension of... Show moreYouth ‘languages’ are an important topic of research in the domain of linguisticchange through language contact because the change is rapid and observableand also because the social dimension of change is inevitably present. Engsh, asa youth language in Kenya expresses not only modernity and Kenyan identitybut also, the status of being educated, and it differs in this respect from Sheng,the dominant Kenyan youth language. The element of Engsh that expresses thisaspect most directly is the use of a grammatical system from English whereasSheng uses Swahili. In lexicon, Engsh draws upon Sheng and urban Englishslang. This is a first extensive description of Engsh. The social function of Engshis interesting in that class is expressed in it, which is not often reported inAfrican urban youth codes. Also the fact that Engsh is a non-exclusive register,which expands through its use in (social) media and most of all in computermediated communication. Show less
