2 - Reclaiming Urban Youth Identity through Language in Kenya: The Case of Koch FM Radio
Corresponding Author(s) : Benson Oduor Ojwang
Africa Development,
Vol. 42 No. 2 (2017): Africa Development: Special Issue on Study on Oblique Identity Dynamics
Abstract
Kenya’s urban youths in Nairobi’s informal and low income settlements have had to contend with an identity crisis, economic deprivation, marginalization in leadership and governance and general stigmatization. Moreover, they have borne a heavy burden both as victims and perpetrators of crime, wanton sex trade and drug abuse. This has led to the emergence of a special language variety in the form of an urban slang (Sheng) that the youth initially used to exclude their parents and the authorities from their perceived criminal acts. However, since the enactment of a new constitution that has expanded the democratic space and created broader awareness of individual rights and liberties, Kenya’s urban youth in Nairobi have given new roles to Sheng by making it a symbol of youth’s autonomy and creativity. This article uses the case of the youth-initiated Koch FM which is a model urban community radio station that primarily uses urban slang in its presentations. Through this station, the socio-economically disadvantaged youths create and maintain social networks in the form of support groups, theatre and income generating clubs with the objective of creating wealth, thereby boosting identity through assertive self-expression. The youth can then articulate and influence policy on social, political and economic affairs by sharing information on health, HIV/AIDS, political representation and governance roles. This case study demonstrates that a common language can be an effective unifier since it transcends social, economic, religious, ethnic, political and gender barriers.
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- Abdullah, I., 1998, ‘Bush Path to Destruction: The Origin and Character of the Revolutionary United Front/Sierra Leone’, Journal of Modern African Studies 36 (2): 203–34.
- Bennell, P., 2000, ‘Improving Youth Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Report to the International Development Centre of USAID.
- Communications Commission of Kenya, 2014, Radio Licensing Rules, www.cck.go.ke, accessed 2 May 2014.
- Chigunta, F., 2002, The Socio-Economic Situation of Youth in Africa: Problems, Prospects and Options, London: Longman.
- Curtain, R., 2000, ‘Towards a Youth Employment Strategy’, Report to the United Nations on Youth Employment, New York NY: United Nations, August.
- Daily Monitor, 2014, ‘Kenyan Student Numbers in Uganda to Rise’, 5 March, www.nation.co.ke, accessed 12 May 2014.
- Flavia, Y., 2012, ‘Music and Youth Culture in Urban Kenya Today’, The People Daily, 10 May.
- Githethwa, N., ed., 2008, ‘The Way Forward for Community Radios in Kenya: Proceedings of the National Seminar Held in Nairobi on 25-26th June, 2008’, Nairobi: Econews Africa, BBC World Service Trust and UNESCO.
- Kenya Community Media Network, 2014, ‘Promoting Youth Networks in Kenya’, www.kcomnet.org, accessed 10 July 2014.
- Kenya Youth Action Platform, 2014, ‘Goals and Objectives’, www.salto-youth.net, accessed 6 May 2014.
- Kenya National Youth Forum, 2013, ‘Mission and Vision’, www.tigweb.org/kenya-nat- youth-forum, accessed 21 June 2014.
- Koch FM, 2014, ‘Mission and Vision Statement’, www.kochfm.org, accessed 15 May 2014.
- Mkandawire, R.M., 1996, ‘Experiences in Youth Policy and Programme in Commonwealth Africa’, unpublished Policy Document Prepared for the Commonwealth Youth Programme Department.
- Mayor, F. and Binde, J., 2001, The World Ahead: Our Future In the Making, London: Zed Books.
- Mlema, P., 1999, ‘The Crisis of Educational Institutions in Africa and the Vulnerability of Female Youth’, paper presented at a Symposium on Youth. Cape Town, South Africa.
- Nyahero, N., 2014, ‘Youth, Politics and Empowerment in Kenya: New Perspectives’,Daily Nation, 12 May.
- Nyambala, M.A., 2011, ‘Community Radio as a Participatory Communication Tool in Kenya: An Audience Survey of Koch FM in Nairobi’, unpublished M.A. dissertation, University of Nairobi.
- Nyairo, J. and Ogude, J., 2005, ‘Popular Music, Popular Politics: Unbwogable and the Idioms of Freedom in Kenyan Popular Music’, African Affairs 104 (145): 225–49.
- Poverty Free Kenya, 2014, ‘Community Radios Empower Development in Kenya: The Case of Radio Lake Victoria’, www.povertyfreekenya.org/youthempowerment.php.
- Waiguru, A., 2014, ‘Kenya Job Creation Index 2014’, Daily Nation, 15 May.
- Wincla, O., 2014, ‘News and Views on Youth Identity in Urban Kenya’, Daily Nation, 8 March.
- Waswalla, W., 2013, ‘Community Radio Poised for Further Growth’, The Standard, 6 January.
References
Abdullah, I., 1998, ‘Bush Path to Destruction: The Origin and Character of the Revolutionary United Front/Sierra Leone’, Journal of Modern African Studies 36 (2): 203–34.
Bennell, P., 2000, ‘Improving Youth Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Report to the International Development Centre of USAID.
Communications Commission of Kenya, 2014, Radio Licensing Rules, www.cck.go.ke, accessed 2 May 2014.
Chigunta, F., 2002, The Socio-Economic Situation of Youth in Africa: Problems, Prospects and Options, London: Longman.
Curtain, R., 2000, ‘Towards a Youth Employment Strategy’, Report to the United Nations on Youth Employment, New York NY: United Nations, August.
Daily Monitor, 2014, ‘Kenyan Student Numbers in Uganda to Rise’, 5 March, www.nation.co.ke, accessed 12 May 2014.
Flavia, Y., 2012, ‘Music and Youth Culture in Urban Kenya Today’, The People Daily, 10 May.
Githethwa, N., ed., 2008, ‘The Way Forward for Community Radios in Kenya: Proceedings of the National Seminar Held in Nairobi on 25-26th June, 2008’, Nairobi: Econews Africa, BBC World Service Trust and UNESCO.
Kenya Community Media Network, 2014, ‘Promoting Youth Networks in Kenya’, www.kcomnet.org, accessed 10 July 2014.
Kenya Youth Action Platform, 2014, ‘Goals and Objectives’, www.salto-youth.net, accessed 6 May 2014.
Kenya National Youth Forum, 2013, ‘Mission and Vision’, www.tigweb.org/kenya-nat- youth-forum, accessed 21 June 2014.
Koch FM, 2014, ‘Mission and Vision Statement’, www.kochfm.org, accessed 15 May 2014.
Mkandawire, R.M., 1996, ‘Experiences in Youth Policy and Programme in Commonwealth Africa’, unpublished Policy Document Prepared for the Commonwealth Youth Programme Department.
Mayor, F. and Binde, J., 2001, The World Ahead: Our Future In the Making, London: Zed Books.
Mlema, P., 1999, ‘The Crisis of Educational Institutions in Africa and the Vulnerability of Female Youth’, paper presented at a Symposium on Youth. Cape Town, South Africa.
Nyahero, N., 2014, ‘Youth, Politics and Empowerment in Kenya: New Perspectives’,Daily Nation, 12 May.
Nyambala, M.A., 2011, ‘Community Radio as a Participatory Communication Tool in Kenya: An Audience Survey of Koch FM in Nairobi’, unpublished M.A. dissertation, University of Nairobi.
Nyairo, J. and Ogude, J., 2005, ‘Popular Music, Popular Politics: Unbwogable and the Idioms of Freedom in Kenyan Popular Music’, African Affairs 104 (145): 225–49.
Poverty Free Kenya, 2014, ‘Community Radios Empower Development in Kenya: The Case of Radio Lake Victoria’, www.povertyfreekenya.org/youthempowerment.php.
Waiguru, A., 2014, ‘Kenya Job Creation Index 2014’, Daily Nation, 15 May.
Wincla, O., 2014, ‘News and Views on Youth Identity in Urban Kenya’, Daily Nation, 8 March.
Waswalla, W., 2013, ‘Community Radio Poised for Further Growth’, The Standard, 6 January.