Oxfam in Kenya, 1963-2002
The following thesis examines the role that Oxfam played in Kenyan development between 1963 and 2002. Academic studies of NGOs and their place in the development apparatus have, of course, been numerous and prominent, but to date they have often lacked the historicism and empiricism necessary to fully articulate the variegated functions that NGOs perform in the âglobal southâ. For this reason, the following thesis concentrates on documenting the shifting mechanisms, dynamics and discourses of Oxfamâs work in Kenya. In its first case study chapter, the thesis argues that Oxfam offered its support to the Kenyan state apparatus and its seemingly exclusivist development ideology in the 1960s, but that such support was predicated on the Kenyan government behaving in a way that would reduce exploitation and promote equality. Thus, when such an approach was seen to be ineffective, Oxfam disengaged from the Kenyan state. In its second case study chapter, the thesis shows how Oxfam, emboldened by a shift in ideology towards âconscientisationâ, sought instead to empower Kenyaâs most marginalised citizens. However, Oxfamâs commitment to âconscientisationâ was challenged in the 1980s both by the hostility
Morris, James
Oxfam in Kenya, 1963-2002. The following thesis examines the role that Oxfam played in Kenyan development between 1963 and 2002. Academic studies of NGOs and their place in the development apparatus have, of course, been numerous and prominent, but to date they have often lacked the historicism and empiricism necessary to fully articulate the variegated functions that NGOs perform in the âglobal southâ. For this reason, the following thesis concentrates on documenting the shifting mechanisms, dynamics and discourses of Oxfamâs work in Kenya. In its first case study chapter, the thesis argues that Oxfam offered its support to the Kenyan state apparatus and its seemingly exclusivist development ideology in the 1960s, but that such support was predicated on the Kenyan government behaving in a way that would reduce exploitation and promote equality. Thus, when such an approach was seen to be ineffective, Oxfam disengaged from the Kenyan state. In its second case study chapter, the thesis shows how Oxfam, emboldened by a shift in ideology towards âconscientisationâ, sought instead to empower Kenyaâs most marginalised citizens. However, Oxfamâs commitment to âconscientisationâ was challenged in the 1980s both by the hostility
kenya follow examines_role play kenyan development academic_study ngos place development apparatus course numerous prominent date often lack historicism empiricism necessary fully articulate variegated function ngos perform global south reason follow concentrate document shift mechanism dynamic discourse work kenya first case_study argue offer_support kenyan state_apparatus seemingly development ideology support predicate kenyan government behave way would reduce exploitation promote equality thus see ineffective disengage kenyan state second case_study show shift ideology towards seek instead empower kenya marginalise citizen however commitment challenge hostility