WHOSE CRIME? ARSON, CLASS WARFARE AND TRADERS IN NAIROBI, 1940-20001

[veritas]

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https://chs.revues.org/109

Abstract

This article concerns the crime of arson at Nairobi (Kenya), which became common in the 1950s Mau Mau Emergency when the British colonial government was attempting to control a growing insurgent movement, the Land and Freedom Army, which used urban African markets as one of its key loci for organization. Many traders were involved in the insurgency and the government used arson to burn them out, before deporting most of them to the reserves in Operation Anvil. The constant struggle over urban space continued after Kenyan independence in 1963, when in the 1990s and later, in particular, arson once again became a key tactic used by corrupt government officials in alliance with developers to get control over prime urban land. The best example is the five-day Gikomba Market fire that destroyed most of it, but not the will of the sellers to rebuild. It is widely believed that the thugs who burned the market did so for hire. Thus, the class struggle continued, embodied in the crime of arson between a privileged class including high government officials and developers and an insurgent underclass bent on survival.

pdf - https://chs.revues.org/pdf/109

[Empedocles]

https://chs.revues.org/109

Abstract

This article concerns the crime of arson at Nairobi (Kenya), which became common in the 1950s Mau Mau Emergency when the British colonial government was attempting to control a growing insurgent movement, the Land and Freedom Army, which used urban African markets as one of its key loci for organization. Many traders were involved in the insurgency and the government used arson to burn them out, before deporting most of them to the reserves in Operation Anvil. The constant struggle over urban space continued after Kenyan independence in 1963, when in the 1990s and later, in particular, arson once again became a key tactic used by corrupt government officials in alliance with developers to get control over prime urban land. The best example is the five-day Gikomba Market fire that destroyed most of it, but not the will of the sellers to rebuild. It is widely believed that the thugs who burned the market did so for hire. Thus, the class struggle continued, embodied in the crime of arson between a privileged class including high government officials and developers and an insurgent underclass bent on survival.

pdf - https://chs.revues.org/pdf/109

Fire is a very cheap and efficient method of protest/warfare.

"Behold from your walls the lands laid waste with fire and sword, booty driven off, the houses set on fire in every direction and smoking." -?Livy, The History of Rome

Here's a sample from 2008:

It's easy to blame Uhuruto and their gang of thieves but I'm more than sure they're even more baffled by the incidents than they portray. Not because of the fires themselves and the damages but because of it's something they're utterly incapable of understanding, as evidenced here:

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday released findings of an inquiry into the cause of school burning, a trend that has been on the rise over the past one month.

During a closed-door meeting, the Ministry noted that fear of the expected strict supervision of national exams, poor leadership, unrealistic rules and drug abuse were some of the reasons behind the spate of arson attacks.

The preliminary audit report also highlighted that existence of bad blood between school head-teachers and their deputies, and poor communication skills by school administrators contributed to student unrest.

The analysis further notes that incompetence among senior Ministry of Education field officers could have fuelled unrest and destruction of property in schools.

Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i released the findings two days after imposing strict regulations on students from schools involved in the chaotic incidents.

Matiang'i said that culprits from the said schools would not be allowed to transfer to other institutions.

He noted that a student seeking transfer will need an approval letter from the Sub-County Directors of Education.

Matiang'i said that his Ministry would not allow learners involved in the burning of schools to spread their bad behaviour to other institutions.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/6-reasons-why-students-are-burning-schools-report

[MOON Ki]

On a "failure to understand", here's an interesting one:

IEBC to oversees prefect elections in new rules to manage school arson attacks
...
Also, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been preferred as the sole electoral body to handle school elections as a move to avoid likelihood of teachers imposing leaders on students. The elections include selection of head boys and head girls, prefects, dormitory heads and monitors

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000209514/iebc-to-oversees-prefect-elections-in-new-rules-to-manage-school-arson-attacks

I wish we had such ideas in my time: Back in Std. 4 I was rigged out of a monitor's position, in favour of a less popular kid.   We should have burned something.

[veritas]

It IS the status quo (political term for the ruling party in this case Uhuruto).

Youth arson or "bultoro" is a somewhat new conservative policy trend to undermine and thwart populous liberal opposition. In this case for Kenya, ODM-Cord and protests against the IEBC.

Another henious fail from Uhuru's WHITE British advisor. Since there's petrol/glue sniffing in Kenya unlike British boarding schools, jerry can networks are siphoned and sniffed illegally like drugs. Like drugs, these networks are easily ratted out.

Ever since the opposition has gained steam there's corruption between corrupt education bodies in cahoots with certain ministries. They paint these arson incidents analogous to the opposition and the IEBC as some saviour. All in all.to serve the status quo's reelection agenda.

It's pretty sickening.

[veritas]

If this seems so farfetched than do the math, and I know my dear Emp isn't good with a calculator. 68 schools in 2 months with no evidence of coordinated student bodies across the country. No evidence of incitement. No evidence of a common cause. These are the underworkings machinated by the status quo to fulfill an election agenda. I say the status quo because no other organization can supply 68 schools in 2 months without an official network distributing that much fuel.