Lessons from Northern Kenya

A few weeks back, I visited Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera located in Kenya’s Dadaab and Fafi regions of Garissa County. Until then, these are places that I mostly knew about through secondary material. Because a lot has been said and written – some good, some bad.  If there is anything I have learnt over the years, it is that firsthand information is the best form of enlightenment.  Here’s a summary of my enlightening encounters.

Building an oasis in a desert: I had the opportunity to visit a tree growing centre and, in the vicinity, you could notice the green and cool micro-climate effect. Here we met a community that was determined to change the narrative of the surroundings. To turn it from a hot, dry and arid region to one that could fill the food baskets and reduce the grudgingly hot heat from the sun.

Shariah compliant banking is transforming local economies. I should be a bit familiar with Shariah banking having previously worked with a Somali owned enterprise. But sometimes these things don’t register in the mind until you find yourself in the middle of it all. Talk of a situation where unlocking access to financing is part of what must be done. And then you come across the only players preferred players because they have taken time to understand the local culture and how its banking needs works. For the longest period, I struggled to understand Islamic banking and how financial institutions make money in such cases if there is no interest charged on loans disbursed. Well, after this trip —I think I have a better understanding, maybe not the details of it but what is most critical to know for my situation.

A culture built in trust and social cohesion:  I was curious to learn how the local communities get along, pull together capital resources and invest. If anything, Somalis are now some of the biggest businessmen in the country, following the footsteps formerly renowned only for Indians and the Kikuyu tribe. And well, if you thought this business vigour is only in the major towns across the country, you got it wrong. Despite the logistical hurdles and harsh environment that characterises the Northern region, you will find several small businesses owned and operated by Somalis that are flourishing given the context. This speaks to their resilience and determination to beat all odds despite the obstacles. Traditionally, the community is majorly livestock keepers here in Kenya (I would come to learn, surprisingly, that the same tribe from across the border are farmers good at crop growing). We had the opportunity to visit one of the largest livestock markets and interestingly, part of the animals sold find way into the supply chains to meet consumption needs in the capital city of Nairobi. Unlike other pastoralist communities where cases of cattle rustling for example is one of the major challenges faced, this one seemed to be a different narrative. One where there is mutual co-existence, cemented by strong cultural believes built in trust and togetherness to achieve a bigger goal of prosperity.

A preference for cars for local movement rather than motorbikes as typical of rural to peri-urban towns. This one caught me a little out of surprise. Not that I was out to find what I typically see in rural areas – a preference for two-wheelers for mobility. This region was different – there was preference for a certain type of car model (very affordable and of low engine capacity) for movement rather than motorbikes. There were several young men driving these cars – which implies this is a vibrant employment industry for the youth in these locations. For me, this also suggests that in life, you can decide and set the minimum standards of what convenience means for you and choose it, regardless of where you are.

Respect for religious principles: My visit coincided with the holy season of Ramadhan and this being a largely Islamic community – the season holiness rented the air. But that is not what stood out, because in the past I have interacted closely with a few Muslims – in high school year one my roommate was of Muslim faith, and I couldn’t help but notice her reverence. Never skipping a prayer moment. And this was no different on this trip, the fact that we were on the move did not stop faithful from doing what they must – take a moment to pray and keep the faith throughout the fasting season. I think fasting is one of those things that are easier said than done. To come across a community where everyone seems to do the right thing in as far as religious doctrines are concerned – and doing so without being reminded (both the young and old alike) is a depiction of what ingrained self-discipline should looks like.

Security threats should not hold us back from long term development – I think this is my final takeaway. For a region that barely gets adequate investments because people are too afraid it might not last, I would experience a people that have hope for a brighter future ahead, one where extremists (forget the tribal and faith stereotyping) will no longer set the precedence of how a region is perceived and served. I interacted with an elder man who was proud to do what he loves most – drive cars.  He was proud to live where in this community despite the odds and risks that come with it and all the negative news that often relays a highly porous and insecure region.  His only hope being that his future generations will find a more peaceful, harmonious, developed and non-neglected locale to call home. After all, East or West home is the best, right?

Until the next post, happy moments embracing different cultures and communities around us!