Get That Grade

World Development

Answers to this test can be found in the next Unit of Get That Grade!

The magazine New Internationalist publishes a 'country profile' in every issue. This is an adaptation (with permission) of a New Internationalist country profile by Ben Oakley. For the complete article see www.newint.org/issue256/profile.htm - copyright New Internationalist Ltd. www.newint.org

There is a striking contrast for the first-time visitor to Nairobi between the prosperity of Kenya's capital city with its tower-block landscape, and the grinding poverty that exists in the shadow of bank buildings and tourist hotels.

Kenya became independent from Britain in 1963. Under Jomo Kenyatta, the first President, agriculture became the basis of an economic 'miracle'.

Unfortunately the economy was not run well. The government was corrupt, so all foreign aid was stopped in 1991. The problems that followed caused great suffering, particularly for poor people.

Karanja is typical of a growing number of urban slum dwellers. He works as a messenger for Sh1,200 a month (about £15) but now this is not enough for him to pay the Sh400 rent for his flat.

Street children and families like Karanja's in shantytowns are a growing phenomenon in urban areas. The problem is made worse by refugees from neighbouring countries. Violence among different ethnic groups has worsened since the 1992 multi-party political elections when the political parties split along tribal lines. This has forced many to flee to the towns.

Life in rural areas is not easy, notably for women who do most of the farming. Rains are unreliable. In some years farmers have been washed out by floods. In other years their crops have been destroyed by drought. It is also common for men to migrate to the towns to look for paid jobs as people's priorities are cash to pay for children's secondary education. But as many as 300,000 children are estimated to be orphaned as a result of parental deaths from Aids.

At A Glance

Excellent