Focuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of... Show moreFocuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of housing as are people living under similar conditions in other societies. Both their economic and housing circumstances impose a strain on daily life. The inhabitants react to these circumstances by developing patterns of expectations and behaviour vis-…-vis their neighbours which resemble those of their counterparts elsewhere, despite the cultural and economic differences between societies Show less
Reviews the findings of available studies and reports thought to be of relevance to policy makers. A discussion of the institutional framework, of criteria used in price-setting procedures, and of... Show moreReviews the findings of available studies and reports thought to be of relevance to policy makers. A discussion of the institutional framework, of criteria used in price-setting procedures, and of scope and objectives of the agricultural pricing policies is folowed by an examination of what these policies 'have done to agriculture'. A final section concentrates on the effects of pricing policies on the (marketed) suply of agricultural production and the importance of 'relative prices' in production decisions of Kenya farmers. Show less
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
Overexploitation of natural resources is often associated with poverty among local populations. A multi-disciplinary team studied artisanal fishers along the Kenyan coast on the Indian Ocean. The... Show moreOverexploitation of natural resources is often associated with poverty among local populations. A multi-disciplinary team studied artisanal fishers along the Kenyan coast on the Indian Ocean. The main focus of the research was on income diversification of fishers, the pressure on marine resources and the relation between the two. Income diversification did not reduce the pressure on the marine environment. Rather, indications are that many part-time fishers are entering the profession. Moreover, fishers with alternative employment stayed in-shore and used damaging gear more often. Policies to stimulate employment opportunities for coastal communities cannot be expected to lessen the pressure on marine resources and need to be planned carefully in terms of industry location, labour requirements and degree of coastal pollution. Show less
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
This volume contains a range of original studies on the controversial role of youth in politics, conflicts and rebellious movements in Africa. A common aim of the studies is to try and explain why... Show moreThis volume contains a range of original studies on the controversial role of youth in politics, conflicts and rebellious movements in Africa. A common aim of the studies is to try and explain why patterns of generational conflict and violent response among younger age groups in Africa are showing such a remarkably uneven spread across the continent. An introduction by Jon Abbink (Being young in Africa: the politics of despair and renewal) is follwed by three parts: 1. Historical perspectives on youth as agents of change (Murray Last on youth in Muslim northern Nigeria, 1750-2000; G. Thomas Burgess on youth in revolutionary Zanzibar); 2. State, crisis and the mobilization of youth (Peter Mwangi Kagwanja on youth identity and the politics of transition in Kenya, 1997-2002; Karel Arnaut on youth and the politics of history in C“te d'Ivoire; Jok Madut Jok on the position of youth in South Sudan; Piet Konings on anglophone university students and anglophone nationalist struggles in Cameroon; and Sara Rich Dorman on youth and politics in Eritrea); 3. Interventions: dealing with youth in crisis (Yves Marguerat on street children in Lom‚, Togo; Angela McIntyre on the phenomenon of child soldiers in Africa; Simon Simonse on failed Statehood and the violence of young male pastoralists in the Horn of Africa; and Krijn Peters on the reintegration of young ex-combatants in Sierra Leone). [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Based on a study in Nakuru town, Kenya, this volume deals with the multi-spatial (or multi-local) livelihoods of households with livelihood sources in different localities. It focuses in... Show moreBased on a study in Nakuru town, Kenya, this volume deals with the multi-spatial (or multi-local) livelihoods of households with livelihood sources in different localities. It focuses in particular on the rural livelihood sources of urban households. To cope with the adverse economic effects of increasing unemployment, the escalating cost of living and decreasing purchasing power, households - both poor and rich - are having to diversify their sources of income. A large majority of Nakuru households now appear to have a rural livelihood source, usually for food. Another coping strategy witnessed in Nakuru town is the sending of some urban household members to live at the rural home. Generally speaking, urban households that engage in rural farming (multi-spatial livelihoods) and have access to a source of food for their household are more favourably placed regarding their food situation than households without a foothold in the rural areas (mono-spatial livelihoods). Linkages between urban and rural households are essential to an urban household's ability to survive, especially for poor urban households that are more vulnerable to economic stress and shocks than the non-poor. Contrary to the situation a few decades ago, those living in rural areas are no longer only the recipients of goods and services from the urban areas but have become important contributors to the livelihoods of relatives in urban areas Show less
Matelski, M.; Otundo, B.; Zijlstra, S.; Dekker, M.; Kempen, L. van; Nangulu, A.; Spierenburg, M. 2018
The agricultural potential of land is largely determined by soil and climatological characteristics, notably temperature, annual rainfall and seasonal distribution of rainfall. The author deals in... Show moreThe agricultural potential of land is largely determined by soil and climatological characteristics, notably temperature, annual rainfall and seasonal distribution of rainfall. The author deals in particular with the last factor, climatic seasonality, first as a measurable quantity, with reference to Kenya as a whole, and secondly in relation to agricultural potential and actual land use, with reference to Coast Province, in particular Kwale and Kilifi Districts. The data were obtained during a number of socioeconomic and nutritional studies carried out between 1985 and 1987 as part of the Food and Nutrition Studies Programme, a joint Dutch-Kenyan research programme. Bibliogr., sum Show less
The outcome of a three-day conference held at the African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, in September 1998, this book on the 1997 Kenya general elections is organized in four parts: the... Show moreThe outcome of a three-day conference held at the African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, in September 1998, this book on the 1997 Kenya general elections is organized in four parts: the direct pre-electoral background; technical and national analysis of the general elections, including the performance of the Electoral Commission, international observation, and the role of the media; regional studies focusing on the grassroots level of Kenyan politics at the Kenya Coast, among the Kenya Somali, in Ukambani, Meru and Embu, Central Province and Nairobi, and Maasailand, among the Kalenjin and the Gusii, in Luo Nyanza, and in Western Province and Trans-Nzoia district; and the Njoro and Laikipia violence in the aftermath of the elections, political developments in 1998 and 1999, and the meaning of electoral politics in Kenya. Contributors: Francis Ang'ila Aywa, Norbert Braakhuis, Marren Akatsa-Bukachi, Fran‡ois Grignon, Charles Hornsby, Joe Kadhi, Peter Mwangi Kagwanja, Karuti Kanyinga, Musambayi Katumanga, Wambui Kimathi, Herv‚ Maupeu, Alamin Mazrui, Kimani Njogu, Adams Oloo, Kenneth Ombongi, Marc-Antoine P‚rouse de Montclos, Ralph-Michael Peters, Marcel Rutten Show less
Despite its economic and cultural potential, the Kenya Coast finds itself in a marginal position. This collective volume traces the causes behind this situation and analyses it from different... Show moreDespite its economic and cultural potential, the Kenya Coast finds itself in a marginal position. This collective volume traces the causes behind this situation and analyses it from different angles: political, economic and social. Most of the papers included in this volume were first presented at a workshop in Mombasa in August 1996. Contributions: The Kenya Coast: a regional study, by Dick Foeken, Jan Hoorweg and R.A. Obudho; The Kenya Coast in national perspective, by Henk Meilink; Physical resources and infrastructure, by Dick Foeken; Marine resources, by Peninah Aloo; Current environmental problems, by Mwakio P. Tole; Population dynamics, by John Obwa Wakajummah; Urbanization, by R.A. Obudho; The peoples, by John Middleton; Colonial history, by Frederick Cooper; Contemporary politics, by Thomas P. Wolf; Religion and society, by David C. Sperling; Agriculture, by Henk Waaijenberg; Food marketing, by Tjalling Dijkstra; Industrialization, by Wafula S. Masai; Tourism, by Isaac Sindiga; Employment, by Gerrishon K. Ikiara; The educational marginalisation of coastal Kenya, by Thomas Owen Eisemon; Health and illness, by J. Ties Boerma and F. John Bennett; Food consumption and nutrition, by Wijnand Klaver and Robert Mwadime; Gender issues, by Winnie V. Mitullah; The experience with land settlement, by Jan Hoorweg; Housing, by G.C. Macoloo; Water resources, by George O. Krhoda; Dairy development, by Piet Leegwater and Jan Hoorweg; Port development: growth, competition and revitalization, by Brian Hoyle; Conclusion: culture, resources and development in the Kenya Coast, by Jan Hoorweg, Dick Foeken and R.A. Obudho Show less
This study connects the topic of natural resource conflicts with political elements, especially elections and looks into clashes between a pastoralist (Orma) and an agricultural (Pokomo) community... Show moreThis study connects the topic of natural resource conflicts with political elements, especially elections and looks into clashes between a pastoralist (Orma) and an agricultural (Pokomo) community in Kenya. It analyses the clashes in the Tana delta which escalated in August 2012 from a political angle. The main aim of this study was to see how elections and conflicts influence each other but also which role other (political) aspects played in the case of the Tana delta. The Tana delta is a wetland area at the Kenyan Coast which is mainly inhabited by pastoralist Orma and agricultural Pokomo communities. Also, it is a fall back area for pastoralists from as far as Ethiopia, who migrate to the delta in times of drought in search for water and pasture. The area frequently sees conflicts which occasionally claim lives or even end in severe violence. The latter one was the case in 2012-2013 when almost 200 people died in ethnic clashes. On 4th March 2013 Kenya held its first elections under the new constitution which was embarked in 2010 and foresees a new government structure delegating more responsibilities to the regional level, the counties. This study analyses how the clashes in the Tana delta were influenced by these transitional elections and how institutional failure and legal pluralism contributed. Also, it identifies the root cause of natural resource conflicts in the Tana delta. Due to the fact that theories on election violence suggest that politicians instigate violence to unite their voters or to reduce the number of their competitors' supporters, this study also takes into account how the clashes influenced the elections. In this respect it examines which consequences the conflict had on the electorate, how it affected the popularity of different aspirants and what effects it had on the relevance of factors for the voting decision. Show less
