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Somalia was recently formally admitted into the East African Community, a regional bloc with aspirations for deeper economic and political union. Somalia joins a more expanded bloc with members Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South-Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The recent admissions into the bloc have drawn criticism, with some analysts arguing that South Sudan, DRC and now Somalia are unstable and would bring instability into an already fragile region. However, others have argued that Somalia’s admission was long due as the people of Somalia are already deeply embedded within the East African Community besides sharing a border with Kenya. Our guest, Dr Sylvanus Wekesa, agrees with the latter. He is a foreign policy expert and a Research Associate at the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London. In a previous episode of the Kenyanist, he helped us understand Kenya’s foreign policy during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s time in office. That episode can be found by following this link https://www.thekenyanist.com/kenyas-foreign-policy-in-uhuru-kenyattas-era/

Most Kenyan youths live under the gloom of economic uncertainty which leads to hopelessness. This has been against a backdrop of multiple interventions from the government and other stakeholders. Regardless, the subject of youth and livelihoods has endured massive interest within Kenya, with the youth bulge described as an ‘opportunity’ and a ‘ticking time bomb’ in some quarters. What cannot be understated however is that the conversations are often single sided focusing on youth unemployment which leads to other conversation son how young men find themselves in crime. A less talked about group is the youthful middle class and the challenges they face since their issues take a backseat as the government focuses on dealing with crime and unemployment.  In this episode, we hosted Dr. Peter Lockwood who is a political economist and research fellow at the University of Manchester and has done research on the issues facing the youths in Kenya to give us a better perspective. More details about Peter’s work can be found by following this link ⁠https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/discover-institute/peter-lockwood-0⁠

In a past episode of the Kenyanist, we talked about reforming the NHIF, which the government has recently undertaken to improve healthcare delivery. We also heard about how African countries spend about 6% of their GDP on health, which is less than the 9.5% of GDP in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Yet, the Abuja Declaration commits African countries to invest 14% of the national budget in health. It is no secret, therefore, that many problems affect the healthcare system in African countries, including Kenya, with issues such as poor infrastructure, unharmonized medical records, inadequate personnel, and insufficient healthcare financing. African Governments, and indeed Kenya, are attempting to address the problem of manpower and financing by adopting the use of Community Health Workers, usually working as volunteers. Yet, this complicates things further, as health is a devolved function under the 2010 Constitution, and county governments claim they have no funding for community health. We brought Dr. Kathy Dodworth, a Research Fellow at the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh, to talk about the role of Community Health Work in Kenya. You can read about Kathy’s work on this topic by following this link https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953623004835?via%3Dihub

For many Kenyans, being part of an ethnic group is an important mark of their identity. It symbolizes belonging, and access to resources. The question of which ethnic groups belong in Kenya is another part of this salient debate. Ethnicity is often used as a means of mobilizing for state resources especially around elections. The question of which ethnic groups belong in Kenya therefore elicits sensitive emotions as some groups have in the past been denied citizenship on the basis of their ethnicity. Moreover, when the question of how many tribes are in Kenya is posed, the number ranges depending on who answers this question. 42, 43, 44+ are figures often thrown around. It is however important to note that there is no official list of these ethnic groups, despite the recognition of ethnicity in the constitution for cultural identity, regional balance in state appointments, and fair distribution of state resources to avoid marginalization. Dr. Samantha Balaton-Chrimes, who is our guest for this episode of the Kenyanist, has researched the issue of ethnicity and identity politics. She shared with us her thoughts on why she thinks ethnicity has been politicized in Kenya. We also interrogate the impact of ethnic recognition by the state and why ethnicity is often weaponized by those in power. You can read more of Sam’s work on this topic by following this link https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17531055.2020.1863642

Kenya is renowned for producing world star athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge, a marathon legend, Faith Kipyegon, a top middle-distance runner, and the promising sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala. These among other athletes have consistently brought honor to Kenya with their stellar performances. Despite their success, the State of Athletics in Kenya is characterized by a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, the country continues to produce superstar athletes who excel on the global stage. On the other hand, Kenya has been struggling at the team level in international competitions. A glaring example of this was seen in the 2022 Olympics, where Kenya managed to win 10 medals and found themselves in the 4th position, behind countries like the United States, Ethiopia, and Jamaica. One common issue faced by Kenyan athletes is the lack of comprehensive support and investment in their training and development compared to some of the other countries they compete with. There has also been recent challenges, including scandals like the controversy surrounding the Olympics, allegations of fake uniforms being issued to Kenyan teams and doping claims. Such incidents not only tarnish Kenya’s reputation but also hinder the athletes’ morale and their performance. The lack of adequate support has driven some athletes to opt to run for other countries, especially those in the Gulf region, where they may receive better incentives and resources. This loss of talent is detrimental to Kenya's sports development and international competitiveness. In light of these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to go beyond merely producing individual superstars and to consider broader investments in sports infrastructure, training facilities, and athlete development programs. By addressing these issues and providing better support for athletes, Kenya can aim to not only maintain its position as the home of superstars but also improve its performance at the team level in international competitions. We speak to Louis Kimanzi, Sports Manager and Researcher based in the UK who has experience in Sports Management in Kenya with a focus on Athletics Management. Learn more about doping in athletics by visiting the following link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ej5k_SxUs&ab_channel=UnreportedWorld

In this episode, Dr. Ken Opalo, a Georgetown University Professor provides a comprehensive analysis of Kenya's cost-of-living crisis. We unpack the underlying factors, assess government responses, and examine potential outcomes of current economic policies aimed at easing the cost of living. On the political front, blame games persist, with the opposition (Azimio) pointing fingers at the government. The Kenya Kwanza government on the other hand blames the global economic environment and the previous regime. We also delve into Kenya Kwanza's fiscal policies, which prioritize a populist agenda under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation (BETA). These policies include the introduction of a Housing Levy and changes to income tax and VAT. In agriculture, the focus is on subsidizing production rather than consumption, with reductions in the cost of fertilizers and importation of edible oils and food commodities. Protests against some of these policies and increased taxation have persisted since the introduction of the Finance Bill. So, what is the way forward? Our guest underscores the need for effective governance and prudent economic policies to address the cost-of-living crisis and its associated challenges. You can read more about Dr. Ken Opalo's work by visiting the following link: https://kenopalo.substack.com/p/understanding-the-economic-foundations

Kenya's political history is marked by protests. We can trace the history of protests to colonial times. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Westen Shihalo, a senior researcher from the University of Johannesburg, to examine the history of protests in Kenya from the colonial era to the present day. We examine how the protests against taxation and racial discrimination in colonial times paved way for the agitation for inclusion, democracy and justice in the post-colonial era. Despite some of the gains that have emanated from sustained political protests, including a new constitution, the legitimacy of protests (maandamano) in Kenya remains contested. While some people see them as a legitimate avenue of raising their grievances, others see them as disruptive and unnecessary. You can read more about Dr. Shihalo's work on the long and rich history of mass protests in Kenya by visiting the following link: https://theconversation.com/mass-protests-in-kenya-have-a-long-and-rich-history-but-have-been-hijacked-by-the-elites-202979 The Kenyanist is hosted by Kamau Wairuri, who is also the executive producer. This episode was produced by Mark Kivuva and edited by Hope Nabalayo. Our researcher and publicist is David Muruaru while Mark Njeru manages our social media. Steve Molikande is our administrator.

Domestic work in Kenya, as well as in other parts of the world, is frequently characterized by low wages and a lack of recognition. Nevertheless, domestic workers have consistently proven to be indispensable to our daily lives. They maintain our households, ensure cleanliness, prepare our meals, and care for our children; essentially being responsible for our well-being.   Despite their significant contribution to the economy and our overall welfare, domestic workers in Kenya face some of the most challenging working conditions. While the focus has rightfully been on the dire situations of Kenyan workers in the Middle East, it is equally important to address the issues occurring within our own homes.    We must therefore discuss how domestic workers endure low pay, are often excluded from union membership, and may even lack proper documentation, making them vulnerable to mistreatment by their employers. They are also denied common employment benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, and pensions, further exacerbating their precarious situation.    In this episode of The Kenyanist, Kamau Wairuri is joined by Mumbi Kanyogo, a Kenyan feminist scholar, to discusses the pursuit of dignified domestic work in Kenya.     The episode sheds light on the challenges faced by domestic workers in Kenya and their fight for better conditions. Mumbi also highlights the historical context of domestic work, its connection to colonialism, and the exploitation that persists today. The episode also explores the efforts of domestic workers to organize and resist, including their involvement with the National Domestic Workers Council and the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).    Please leave a comment to let us know what you think of the episode and rate us wherever you get your podcasts.      www.thekenyanist.com    Sources:   Mumbi Kanyogo (Nov 7, 2022). ‘Sisi Pia ni Watu’: In Kenya, Domestic Workers Resist Exploitation. The Republic. 

The world is re-emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are only now beginning to understand the full impact of the crisis. In Kenya, we need to take this opportunity to reflect on how we can better prepare for future pandemics. At the same time, we need to reconsider culture’s role in helping us cope with and make sense of difficult events in our lives.     One of the most powerful ways that culture can help us to process difficult experiences is through music. During the pandemic, we saw the government use music to communicate public health messages. We also saw artists use music to explore the emotional, social political, and economic impacts of the crisis.    Without a doubt, we know that music can help us to feel less alone, and it can give us a sense of hope. It can also help us to process our grief and anger. In a time of crisis, music can be a lifeline. It is for these reasons that the arts are essential to our well-being, and they can help us to build a stronger and more resilient society.   In this episode of The Kenyanist, we were joined by Felix Mutunga, to discuss his recent research on the role of Hip-Hop in reframing narratives of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya's urban margins. In a conversation with our host Kamau Wairuri, Felix explores the impact of the pandemic on the lives of people in these areas and how Hip-Hop music is used to amplify social and political issues in Kenya.    Sources cited: Ndaka, Felix Mutunga. "Lyrical Renegades: Reframing Narratives of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Kenyan Urban Margins Through Hip-Hop." Journal of African Cultural Studies 35.1 (2023): 89-103. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. "□ Can the Subaltern Speak?." Colonial discourse and post-colonial theory. Routledge, 2015. 66-111.

Kenya’s food culture is dynamic and evolving, based on both local and foreign influences. On the local front, we know that different cultural groups in Kenyahave their own foods and unique ways of preparing them. This diversity also makes it difficult for us to talk about a Kenyan cuisine in the same way that we might talk about Ethiopian, Nigerian, or Indian cuisine. Assome arguments go, we can trace the state of our food culture to colonization. Some people argue that colonialism limited or popularized some foods including maize and legumes which diminished local cuisines. This is said to have had some serious effects including malnutrition, poor feeding, and poor health. Others have said that it has contributed to droughts. However, Kenya’s coastal region has continued to distinguish itself through its cuisine, as a result of which it has become and remained a popular food destination. In this episode Kamau Wairuri speaks to Mariah Sudi, a social scientist based both in Nairobi and Malindi, to gain a deeper understanding of the food culture in Kenya’s coastal region. They discuss the history of Kenyan foods including the role colonialism played in shaping them, the confluence of cultures at the coast and their impact on the coastal cuisine as well as the gender dynamics that shape how food is prepared, served and consumed in the region. The episode is based on Maria’s article on the same topic published by The Elephant. Please leave a comment to let us know what you think of the episode and rate us wherever you get your podcasts. Sources Cited: Mariah Sudi. (2022, Sep 20). Food Culture at the Kenyan Coast. The Elephant.  McCann, J.C. (2009). Stirring the Pot: A History of African Cuisine. Athens: Ohio University Press.   Anthony Wekesa Pepela.(2014). Positioning the gastronomic identity of Kenya’s coastal strip: Perspectives of guests on the region’s signature foods using an integrated approach. PhD Thesis. Kenyatta University.

In this episode, we seek to understand the political economy of street vending in Kenya, by speaking to Nathan Kariuki, a PhD student at the Centre for African Studies, in Bordeaux, France whose PhD project examines street vending in Kenya. What is described as the informal economy or jua kali, has been noted to be a significant portion of Kenya’s economy. For instance, it is widely acknowledged that about 84% of Kenya’s workforce is engaged in the informal economy. It is acknowledged that the distribution of people’s participation in the formal vs informal sector is highly gendered. Hence, about 93% of women-owned businesses are in the informal sector. The most visible element of this segment of the economy is street-level trading or vending, a common feature in most of our urban areas.   Typically, street vendors - who we often refer to as hawkers -- are self-employed, they may be stationary or mobile and are mostly found along busy streets, sidewalks, pavements, and at bus stops where there are high volumes of people. Some of those involved in informal trade operate in temporary structures or enclosed spaces, such as markets that are often provided by local governments. While some operate throughout the day or night, others may have specific hours of operation, such as during the evening rush hour.   Despite their useful contribution to the economy, contributing to the GDP and employment of many Kenyans, the informal economy is often seen negatively. The people involved in this segment of the economy are seen as a nuisance. We often hear, from government officials no less, that they “increase insecurity along streets, crowding streets, failure to pay for licences, and making the streets dirty.”   Thus, policymakers and the well-to-do in society see them as a problem to be solved.   However, we see a change of tune during political seasons. While campaigning for office, politicians will often embrace street vendors, promising to make their conditions more favourable. These promises, like many others, are often forgotten when they get elected.

In The Kenyanist today, we are joined by John Kinuthia, a Senior Program Officer at the International Budget Partnership who has recently, together with his colleagues, published a study on the transparency and accountability of the NHIF. Health financing is a big deal. It has been part of global, regional and national political conversations.  It is known that the developed countries in the world spend more money on healthcare, as a proportion of the GDP, compared with developing countries. For instance, it is known that countries in Africa spend about 6%t of their GDP on health, which is less than the 9.5% of GDP that the countries of the OECD spend on healthcare systems. Of course, there are important differences between countries.  In Kenya, healthcare is now largely decentralised, with many responsibilities being transferred to the county government after the 2010 constitution came into effect.  We have also seen some growth in the amount of money being spent on healthcare.  For instance, in 2020, the allocation of government expenditure on health stood at 6.2% compared to 4.55% of GDP in 2016. There are many aspects of the political economy of healthcare that we can talk about and indeed will look forward to talking about here on The Kenyanist as we seek a broader and deeper understanding of this really important part of our shared lives as Kenyans.  In this episode, however, we will focus on the National Health Insurance Fund or NHIF, the state corporation at the centre of our national conversations on healthcare financing.  We hope you enjoy the show and find the discussion illuminating.  As always, if you have any questions, comments or guest and topic recommendations, please reach us at www.thekenyanist.com or on our social media handles using the handle @TheKenyanist.