Jua Kali Kenya: Change & Development In An Informal Economy (Eastern African Studies) [Paperback]

Kenneth King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | Series: Eastern African Studies

During the 1980s the term jua kali (Kiswahili for 'hot sun') came to refer to anybody working in self-employment in Kenya. This text brings the informal sector alive through the photographs and life histories of jua kali people, and offers an analysis of what has been achieved by ordinary Kenyans. North America: Ohio U Press; Kenya: EAEP

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... to my knowledge, there is no social scientist alive who is more adroit than Professor King at painting a vivid, detailed picture of what actually goes on. - Walter Elkan in DEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW ... could profitably be read by those concerned with the current problems of African industry, and the development of appropriate policies in the small or larger-scale sectors. - Ian Livingstone in JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES ... This is a formidable book, essential reading for anyone seeking to get beyond the policy- and project-centred literature. INTERNATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS JOURNAL The great merit of Jua Kali Kenya is that it gives these invisible people a voice. The bulk of the book is devoted to brief case studies of individuals who tell their stories in their own words. Reading them, one learns more about the informal sector than could be learned from a stack of experts' reports. - John Markakis in DEVELOPMENT & CHANGE This book clearly demonstrates that the informal sector is alive and kicking in Africa but its fate and progress cannot and should not be separated from the fate of the modern sector and the global economy. - Mahmood Messkoub in LUCAS BULLETIN In this remarkable book Kenneth King brings the subject alive through the photographs and life histories of the jua kali people. DSA NEWSLETTER The case studies are the heart of this book providing rich diachronic material on the lived experience of actors in the jua kali sector revealing them as innovative, hard working and flexibly adaptive. - Nici Nelson in JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Ohio University Press; 1 edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821411578
• ISBN-13: 978-0821411575
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,424,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great research into unknown known sector of the encomy, February 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jua Kali Kenya: Change & Development In An Informal Economy (Eastern African Studies) (Hardcover)

This is a great book. I had never read about this sector of the economy. It shows that capitalism is alive and well at the grass roots level. Lets hope that the economic system allows it to prosper in the future.