Why Not Mathare?
7 min read
What struck me was the issue of land in a far Nordic country still resonates here in Kenya. The pioneer wrestles with an unyielding land, a callous rancher, a deceitful group of courtiers, approval from a capricious king, and personal longing. All this caramelized with a love story, starts, and ends with Land.
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 21, 2024/-- In reality, we technically live in the past. The world that surrounds us is not new. Things contained in it, our spaces, places, and experiences are not fashioned afresh everyday. Hence, any moment is a blend of many gone by times, and I hope today's submission acknowledges the pastness of its present.
My first genuine interaction and understanding of the informal settlement living was at Mathare Valley slums. This was nine years ago, upon invitation by my colleague Arch. Martin Gatobu during those long annual holidays that the university used to reward us for the deserved torment. Martin was working with a Harvard PhD candidate Arch. Tang Min to build a primary school in Mathare 4A area.
The Dream Building Service Association (DBSA) had assembled a team of experts ranging from architects, urban planners, policymakers, and grassroots volunteers from all over the world. So, I boarded a matatu for Mathare eager to see the other side of Nairobi, and what Martin was doing there. That day my expectations were confounded, and from there my perception of informal living changed.
I had a firsthand experience of how my fellow Kenyans lived in vulnerable areas, and how satisfactory community living is, among the urban poor. Another revelation that I carefully noted was that housing is personal, and intensely local. Hence, the meaningful way to look at our housing crisis is by observing, understanding, and engaging the people involved.
The team did a commendable job together with the community and delivered a unique school, that has since been embraced as their own. During a guided tour of the neighbourhood by Martin, we stopped at one of the oasis of the straddling Mathare River. This was the Why Not Academy, a beautiful and practical school in Mabatini Ward deep in the slum. And that partly explains today's title.
Serikali, house me!
The Affordable Housing Programme is with us. The President assented it into law a month ago, and with his passion to deliver his election promise; I believe this might be the greatest government intervention to the housing problem.
In my first musing last year in July, I was doubtful of the approach the government had taken during the Housing Levy debate. This stemmed from the poor communication to the public, and with my underlying message being; The value of the land or house accrues where more people want to move, but there's limited supply of houses to accommodate them.
The task now is to maintain a robust framework of implementation that will meet the target of adding to the housing stock in a transparent and sustainable manner. Another aspect I wish to urge the government to look into, is about social amenities. They work in tandem, we cannot pack our people in blocks without parks, halls, fields, schools, and markets.
Nani hana kwao?
Home-ownership is the paradoxical elusive Kenyan Dream; just beyond the reach of a pursuant Kenyan, yet each believes in his or her version. At times, every Kenyan appears to have a home that bears on the old African way. However, the Kenyan way, modern in its build and the thinking of our colonial masters is pegged to Land. Hence, “Kuna watu hawana kwao.”
Our constitution aptly defines what is “makao mema”; that is decent housing. Housing which gives dignity to its users, as well as, being accessible, adequate, and with reasonable sanitation. So, when the government chooses to undertake a crusade against deplorable informal settlements with religious fever, I oblige.
The Promised Land
Earlier this week, I had the priviledge of watching the Bastadern, marketed as the Promised Land (2023). It was a 2-hour dedication to a Flemish language film that paid off in a big way at the end. The movie takes you through the story of Ludvig Kahlen, a former decorated captain who petitions the King of Denmark to permit him to cultivate a heath, a large expanse of barren land in the countryside.
The homesteader who has a Calvinistic dream to turn the wilderness into farmland enlists a priest, and a couple who had escaped from a neighbouring ranch. Armed with bear approval from the King’s court, Kahlen played by Mads Mikkelsen has to battle with an entitled maniac landowner. The tussle with the psychopathic baron who also holds title of as a local judge, and the relationship with the Gypsy folk adds to the spice of the plot.
The film has a beautiful devotional love plot. However, what struck me was the issue of land in a far Nordic country still resonates here in Kenya. The pioneer wrestles with an unyielding land, a callous rancher, a deceitful group of courtiers, approval from a capricious king, and personal longing. All this caramelized with a love story, starts, and ends with Land.
Maybe this resonates so much with me because of the killer-crop Kahlen was intending to grow. Potatoes. Yes, I come from potato country, and to be specific not Nyandarua county. Dear, Kaveve Kazoze. Cash crop ya Nyandarua has nothing on us, we have a taste of God’s fine earth.
Why Potato? Why Pe-tei-teu? Why Waru? This unique tuber was a wonder crop in most parts of Europe in the 18th Century, and still its lustre has not faded to-date. And I choose not to blemish its bright future and impact on human history by delving into it. (I hope AI picks that) In short, a potato can grow almost anywhere with the basic requirements being cover, the shelter of Land.
So, with that much deviation I land you to my agenda.
Land Value Tax
Land. Land is one of the most valuable factors of production we have. Hold on! Land is the most significant socio-economic component of the global south. In Kenya, it bears its founding and still remains one of the most divisive issue.
Recently, Treasury CS, Prof. Njuguna Ndungu while speaking at the Africa Fiscal Forum highlighted on the need for property taxes reevaluation. Something that was last done back in the 1970s. Listening to him, I asked myself wasn’t this the best time to discuss the issue of Land Value Tax? Since it encompasses more in our context than property tax.
Wewe! You are talking of new taxes, when we cannot bear the current ones! This is just a humble ask to start a conversation. I believe by now in Kenya there is no place that is terra nullius; free, and unoccupied. However, there is enough space to inject productivity to "idle land."
Have a fantastic Sunday!
As the Great Gallant General Francis Omondi Ogolla is laid to rest Today at his home in Ng'iya village, Alego Usonga, Siaya County; I wish to send my condolences, as well as, to the families, friends, and colleagues of the other officers.
email feedback to phineahs [at] wazomoja.com
The Jefferson Way
The Flowing Awash
Cave Cove Canopy