The NGO Factor in Africa: The Case of Arrested Development in Kenya

by Amutabi; Maurice Nyamanga

• ISBN13: 9780415979955
• ISBN10: 0415979951
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-08-17
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The NGO Factor in Africabreaks new ground in understanding the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Africa. The book historicizes NGOs using the Rockefeller Foundation as a case study, looking at its tripartite paradoxical roles as an agent of colonialism, globalization and development/underdevelopment. It deploys interdisciplinary devices to show how the RF projects have engaged in marginalization, patronage and 'othering' of African values and customs and the ensuing controversies. Using globalization, postmodern and postcolonial theories the book deconstructs the long-held myths about NGO inviolability, and opens ground for understanding their strengths. It interrogates sites of contestation, apprehension and possibilities that the RF has produced. Using RF projects, it looks at structures of hegemony, race, power, class and gender that the RF has created. The book illustrates the extent to which the RF has been instrumental in spreading capitalism, imperialism in economic, political,cultural and social realms through globalization. It desists from the grand narrative approach that has dominated African history in the past but instead gives agency and voice to those that have previously been marginalized.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	ix
Map of Kenya	xi
Foreword by Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza	xiii
Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	xxi
Chapter One The Paradox of NGOs in Africa's Development: Unraveling their Inconsistency	1	(30)
Chapter Two: NGOs, Capitalism and Globalization	31	(26)
Chapter Three: The Genesis of NGOs: The Idea, the Movement and Implications for Kenya	57	(24)
Chapter Four: The Colonial State and Development in Kenya: Background to the NGO Work in the Country	81	(28)
Chapter Five: The Role of the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) in Medical Research and Health in Kenya	109	(50)
Chapter Six: The Role of the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) in Agriculture and Education in Kenya	159	(28)
Conclusion	187	(14)
Notes	201	(14)
Bibliography	215	(16)
Index	231