This book makes the case for informal sector institutions in
development theory. Through practical examples and interviews
conducted in Kenya, the author captures how ordinary people
organize themselves to meet daily economic and development
challenges. The author traces how ordinary people " (wananchi) "
use non- mainstream mechanisms in the form " vyama " (social
groups) to enable individual, group and community development. The
book offers insights into the evolution of" vyama " (institutions
of hope) and the role these institutions continue to play in
realizing economic growth: wealth creation and distribution;
investments, social protection; and general community
development.
The work shows how, despite historical disruptions,
modernization and neo-liberal policies, ordinary people creatively
borrow from tradition. In the process, they use collective
mechanisms for resource mobilization, investment, risk-sharing and
shared gains for the common good. The author offers pointers into
the future and how the " chama " concept can become mainstream in a
people's economic development.
What others say
"The analysis is rigorous. It is highly original, emotive, and
an excellent piece of work. It makes a major contribution to our
knowledge of the proto-proletariat and the informal sector in the
developing world. - How the author beautifully weaves anecdotes
from classic al African novels into her analysis to reinforce her
argument makes this work distinctive and unique."" - Professor MBK
Darkoh, University of Botswana "
"This book is based on real life cases in an area that most
scholars have not ventured into. It is a major addition of new
findings in the body of knowledge. The presentation is clear,
understandable and would appeal to most readers." " -Paul Kamau,
PhD, Senior Research Fellow, University of Nairobi "
"The strength of this book is the way it has managed to present
the lives of the ordinary people as not hopeless, but rather the
base where future development for Africa could be emerging. The
book starts from the grassroots and the development actions and
innovations taking place there based on the needs as experienced by
the ordinary people, rather than the technical fixes of development
experts that follow the books rather than the actual needs of the
people being developed."" - Professor Beth Maina Ahlberg, PhD,
Professor of International Health, Uppsala University "
"This book demonstrates how ordinary citizens have discovered
the power in tapping into social relations and are proactively
solving their own socio-political and economic challenges. It calls
for the incorporation of the ordinary citizen in development
planning with a view of enabling them to receive value from and add
value to the globalisation and integration process. For anyone who
is interested to see Africa play an important role in the global
agenda, this is not a book to be ignored."" -- Josephat Juma,
Managing Editor, The African Executive magazine. "
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