Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-07 21:00:00
The explosion at a gas storage and refilling facility in Nairobi’s Embakasi suburb, which resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injuries to over 300 individuals, has been attributed to corruption and inadequate urban governance that permitted such a hazardous installation to be situated in a densely populated area. Numerous complaints had been made, and a court had ordered the shutdown of the facility, but to no avail.
Living close to the accident site, Morris Odhiambo, Vice-Chairman of the Diplomacy Scholars Association of Kenya (DIPSAK) and Coordinator of Missing Voices Coalition (MVC) in Kenya, has spoken out about this issue. In an article titled “PanAfricanists must seek a radical cure for the open wound that is the state in Africa” on the Africanist website, This Is Africa, he uses the Embakasi disaster as an example of broader failures across Africa.
He highlights a similar explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Nigeria, caused by illegally stored explosives and notes that urban planning in many parts of Africa, particularly Kenya, has been neglected. Odhiambo argues that the urbanization celebrated in these areas is actually a form of “villagization” of urban spaces, resulting in suffering in these so-called informal settlements.
The assertion that cities in Africa are in disarray due to a village mentality has drawn some criticism as being racist, perpetuating the notion that the native population is primitive and unfit to manage modern cities. While some African cities are disorderly, there are others, such as Kigali, Porto-Novo, Rabat, Cape Town, and Windhoek, that are orderly and neat.
Odhiambo’s argument presents an intriguing counterpoint, suggesting that urban filth, poverty, and lack of accountability are products of “villagization.” While traditional African villages are generally not filthy due to observed codes of conduct, Odhiambo points out that the clash of village norms with modern city life is evident in the use of public spaces and utilities.
He highlights the functional and efficient use of commons and public spaces in traditional African village life, where no separation existed between living spaces and places of worship. However, these norms clash with modern city life, where public spaces are designated for specific activities and uses. This clash is particularly evident in urban areas where the village tradition of using commons for grazing cattle has caused contradictions with modern practices and land use.
Odhiambo also notes that the communal nature of traditional African villages, where the village drunkard would be welcome to share alcohol with others, presents challenges when applied to modern cities. There is a need for a balance between maintaining the spirit of communal harmony and orderliness and adapting to the requirements of modern urban living.
In conclusion, Odhiambo’s argument prompts important discussions about the role of traditional village norms in shaping urban spaces in Africa and the need to find a balance between communal values and modern urban requirements. His perspective offers valuable insights into the underlying causes of the failures in urban governance and planning in parts of Africa, providing a nuanced understanding of the complexities at play.
Read the original article on Daily Nation
