Middle class sprawls in Nairobi, Kenya
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2008
- Downtown Nairobi is in stark contrast to the images of famine and war that often represent coverage of Africa.
Kenyas middle class has grown to 10 percent of the urban population - or 1.5 million people - making Kenya home to one of the largest middle class populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Government deregulation stimulated economic growth and turned Nairobbery - a former nickname for the city - into a booming economic center. Nairobi reflects this trend with multinational businesses, towering office buildings and a growing middle class.
Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal and producer Yuval Lion report from Nairobi on middle class Kenyans, who are educated, optimistic and upwardly mobile.
More at worldfocus.org/blog/2008/10/14...
Funny how the interviews with the non-middle class Kenyans elicit the need for subtitles while their command of English is perfectly fine.
+Esther Kariuki Exactly my reaction..really annoying
You know that if you have an accent, mzungus feel the need for subtitles. LOL
haha... oh well :/
Femi925, no we do not!
i wonder...
wow this was almost 10 years ago, now the middle class has almost doubled in its size.
Very nice to see Africa being portrayed in a different light. This is just one example and with the rise of solar technology, I believe sub-Saharan Africa is best placed to enhance all of the sun's energy. Kenya just has to deal with Al shabaab and eradicate poverty to become a developed country.
Those maids you see in these videos are only making Ksh3000- 5000 a month ($30-$50 usd) and are treated like slaves. Their slave masters are not a true "middle class", the vast majority of the country struggles in poverty because of typically backward African culture, that is the real Kenya
DREAMING WITH CHINA
I am black American, and love to see videos of Africa's increased development. I hope to visit one day and if possible look into investments myself, but at the end of the day America is my home. No disrespect to Africa, and I am not chasing any white man. My people have fought and died to make this country what it is today, and even though I think of Africa a lot it's hard for me to turn my back on my home and my country.
Of course America is your home, there's nothing bad about it.
Black americans had been throught hard times and are now recovering slowly. They are probably the reason people don't totally hate black people : AA gives the world a lot of famous successful black men and women.
So, make the best of what you can in America and we, in Africa, will make the best to make you proud too. And yes, please, learn about the ""real"" Africa and visit it one day, it's important.
***** Puting your number on youtube is a very bad idea !
home is home
*****
Have you been to Africa?
how nice not to see kibera on this one lol wish they show such documentaries in uk all we see is kibera here ....kenyan n very proud
Those maids you see in these videos are only making Ksh3000- 5000 a month ($30-$50 usd) and are treated like slaves. Their slave masters are not a true "middle class", the vast majority of the country struggles in poverty because of typically backward African culture, that is the real Kenya
@@caesarves fuck you
They earn thrice and more Yu fool
Asshole
Why u proud of so CORRUPT.
We never see SLUMS ON TOURISTS SITES INFO.
@@caesarves exactly
This is wonderful! I'm Nigerian. Kenyans keep up the good work! Africa is coming!
Thank you for this video. I was searching , wondering how Kenyan society compares to American life ( sadly, in light of the tragedy of last week). Our media does a poor job of representing many African countries socially and economically. I had no idea that Kenya had such a socio-economic level of development, similar to the USA. I am impressed and happy to learn that from this video
thebinaryboy Because they feel uncomfortable to see black people living like they do. Reason for this, 2 words , BLACK AMERICA.
thebinaryboy watch videos of Jim Nduruchi
Those maids you see in these videos are only making Ksh3000- 5000 a month ($30-$50 usd) and are treated like slaves. Their slave masters are not a true "middle class", the vast majority of the country struggles in poverty because of typically backward African culture, that is the real Kenya.
Caesar Vespasian , you are so ignorant and uncouth Human being.have you ever seen slavery in my country, please get your facts right,shame on you,maids are payed according to where work or upon agreement, besides the government has standardized the wages for maids and benefits.
DRUGS AND ALKOL ABUSE RAMPANT.
Thanks for your imput... I will be on the look out next time in Kampala (as well as Mombasa) I have been to KFC North America and several countries in Europe, IMO they are better than the Kenyan version, but it is a nice try though, they get the spiced chicken sandwich right but agree in East Africa for the most part local joints are doing better in the chicken department. I have yet to try KFC in SA, but compared on your SA vs EU experience what do you think? Any McDs Kampala opening dates?
The most beautiful country in Africa!
Fabish D. Okaka my country❤
Fabish D. Okaka
My bias says it's Zimbabwe lol
Visit filthy mombasa.
Uganda
Beautiful Kenya! thank you for this Video!
east africans moving to kenya just to have the kenyan life yet kenyans still complain about the growth
Quality , stagnation is not something anyone should aim for . Kenyans want improvement not low quality.
Damn. I've been really exploring into the development of West African cities like Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana because West Africa is where most African Americans are from and everybody is applauding how great they are coming alone with their natural resources and Ghana's progressive government. But, wow Nairobi seems so much more advanced than them. How did this happen?
Hey this is great: living in Nairobi, we can identify with what you are talking about. In fact, lots of young Kenyans between 26 and 30 have amazing cars, live in expensive apartments, take holidays at least four times a year, and enjoy themselves!
Most middle class Kenyans have more resources than the middle class in the US difference is our currency and economical situation but most make more am kenyan who has been in the US and I assure you being in Nairobi you can be successful without doing as much work as compared to the US
This is an awesome video. I was in Kenya in 2008. Longing to go back.
Femi925 welcome back
This is 14 years ago......... things have changed alot for the better
I visited Addis Ababa last Christmas and visiting Nairobi this October. The two cities are poles apart. Addis was a very nice place and very safe and I am looking forward to Kenya. I am a construction worker from Ireland and I think it is very important to challenge our attitudes as the world is constantly changing. Keep up the good work Africa!
Proudly Kenyan🇰🇪
Most unbiased documentary i can find for africa..
Thank you sir
Plus the kenyan middle class has existed since the sixties. They even had a bigger spending power in the years following independence.
Does anyone know how risky it is to go go there?
Thanks!
@hollymatterson so how much do you make?
lol....4:25 "A typical american life"
You would think the world revolves around the west.
does it not ?? you speak a language of the west , dress in western apparel , use a computer which is a western device, use western appliances in your house and everywhere else, .....hmmmmmmmm what did i miss?? i would say the world very much revolves around western culture. Facts are just facts learnto live with them denial changes nothing!!! (oh and im of african descent)
I,ve already checked it and much more out on UA-cam. I'm greatly impressed by the rapid rail lines they are building and the huge port expansion Lagos is undertaking. They will do wonders for easing congestion and adding to the economy. I guess what impressed me so much about Nairobi is the relatively modern highrises and the well kept and orderly streets. No offense but Lagos seems so chaotic and messy in comparison. But I know Lagos is progressing dramatically.
Finally something positive about Africa. I hope more success stories like this one occur throughout the continent.
This is awesome words can’t explain so proud Africa is turning around for the better.
I couldn’t find it Java where it’s located in Nairobi
Dicuss kenya and other issues affecting the continent at play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wdp.obafa
I want sooo badly to go to East Africa!!!
Desmond James You are very welcome bro. Karibu sana... welcome so much.
I lived there in the 90s. Beautiful place.
@jadplaya u are one of the few intelligent guys on youtube seriously u have spoken more wisdom than most people i have met here.u are damn right and i am from ghana and proud of our continent.
Where do you draw the line of high, middle and low class? What percentage of people in Kenya are in each class?
Atleast for once no kibera.. Thanks for showing the other side of kenya
Guys calling this lady rich is not correct, am in the middle class and am planning to build a 5 Bed-roomed house in the next 3-5 years by then I will probably have a driver for my Kids and a house maid Will that make me rich? Nope... It the need to have one ... Life is changing in Kenya for most of us and I appreciate this.
Why the subtitles??
This is 14 years ago......... things have changed alot since
3:30 ? how can you see they're Kenyans?
It's no wonder Kenya airways domestic routes are exploding. People take a plane ride from Kisumu to Nairobi or Nairobi to the coast these days. Used to be train or bus rides.
@hmwm67 It's economics mate, we cant foretell what's really gonna happen. I myself think of moving to Brazil or Jamaica when Im done studying. because I know Europe is gonna be a rough place for all of us sooner or later.
@blakdog90 I totally have to agree with you there. As a black american female in college, it pains my heart to see my people doing destructive things. On a side note, my heart has been heavy for the past five years; I've been actively searching for a black haven with little luck. Well, that is until recently.
Although I am not Kenyan, I am thanking God for the day when Kenya is known globally for it's intellectual productivity and world class cities.
Good to hear that ... Have a jolly good day!
Sometime i wonder what im doing in US while back home we got it all good work
great werk yu doing out thea jimmy!
best o luck.
@hollymatterson - Granted. My position on the matter is that there's more to Kenya than meets the eye and the country is still a young nation both literally and metaphorically - still in the process of defining itself amidst a region characterized by civil strife, political ineptitude and gross economic mismanagement. As for big spending, that's all relative, right? If Gates is worth $50B and splurges on a $120M house, it's well within his range. Oh, and I think the house is really beautiful...
"Nairobbery" lol
Thank you world focus for changing the always negative western media narrative about Africa. This was a very positive report. We have challenges still but we are not only what the media displays always!
I agree. I was thinking what the heck? Over here in america they tell us everyones starting in Kenya and there's nothing there but dirt!
+Tonny Okello I must say I too had a very different view of Kenya. Recently I discovered some Kenyan fashion bloggers and their pictures gave a very different look of what I had in mind, because I did not expect Kenya or at least its capital to be so well developed. So I am also thankful for this report.
Tonny Okello watch videos of Jim Nduruchi
He is a conman, hopefully you aren't one of the people he is duping into supporting his luxurious lifestyle using the most helpless in the Kenyan villages.
Those maids you see in these videos are only making Ksh3000- 5000 a month ($30-$50 usd) and are treated like slaves. Their slave masters are not a true "middle class", the vast majority of the country struggles in poverty because of typically backward African culture, that is the real Kenya
Thankyou for the enlightenment. I wondered why prez Obama himself turned his back on his fathers homeland in favor of visiting and praising Ghana. I knew he had something against Kenya's present and past regimes. I guess I was just impressed by how photogenic parts of Nairobi is. It reminds me alot of western cities. But I guess there's more than meets the eyes. I intend to study more on the nation when I have time.
Now i am 16 years old but 5➡10 years to come,I am gonna be rich too.😀
Karibu Kenya! There's a bit more traffic now vs 1992 but we got KFC, Pizza Inn, KenChic all kinds of fast food and you can even go Ice-Skating in Nairobi! (only Ice rink in central and EA by the way)
enjoy your trip!
What's up with you and KFC? All your comments are just about KFC...lol
Education, that's the driving force, and why lie, we have become rich beyond what we could imagine, and we will become richer
Why cant people just watch a video without cursing each other?
I have been there quite a bunch of times.
"I don't live anywhere near Kenya anymore! There was a time long, long ago when I did live in Kenya, but of you hadn't even been born then; as it was prior to Uhuru in 1963. I knew they would be a metropolis one day!!"
makes sense, but if a lot of people earn that much, why don't the prices go up?
This video was taken in 2008. I wonder how people are doing in 2022! Just curious!
Doubled
It is a good example to use. Nairobi is divided quite sharply in that sense. I am a Nairobian myself so I approve! :-)
You need to come ,and see the more development, we have done ...this 2019..
one of my coach owns Java
i am so moving to kenya..
You made it?
this report begins in a funny way. THOSE sky scrappers have been their for forty years its nothing new.
lan dz Forty years? bwahahahahahahahahaha. 40 years ago those Nairobi was a dusty town
You are an idiot beyond description
Lisa Turtle idiot
@@lisaturtle5595 so?
Excellent video. It shows that stability doesn't come from repressive politics but from building more equality from the middle spreading to the sides. Kenya can actually be happy not to have too many natural resources that the greedy paws from the West could be interested in. The wiki article about the "resource curse" explains it quite accurately.
Kevin Ashley is my enterpreneurship role model ..
Yes, this is the kind of positive news we want to see about africa!
Dicuss Africa and issues affecting the continent at play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wdp.obafa
subtitles!!! come'on!
Its nice to have Kenya put it in a positive light for ONCE! its not ALL poverty, violence and oppression.
Was this shot in 2004??? Everything’s old even the cars
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!! But this is the good thing about UA-cam!!!
Certain areas? A country cannot be termed as Area.
fast forward 2013 and the WORLD WANTS A SLICE OF KENYA!!
my bad.
"98% of those building have risen in the past 50yrs, before then there were only a couple of main streets. Government Rd and Delemare Avenue. very little traffic.``
@blakdog90 THANK YOU I was having this conversation not to long ago. Black Americans got offend when I told them we may "need" Africans to learn about economic gain. But when you live in a culture of "have a baby by me and be a millionaire" I makes it hard. My patience is almost gone as well.
I think the individual specifically means mainstream media that include CNN and BBC.
True the bars on the windows, walls with electric fences , security guards are a bit depressing as I've lived in rich areas outside Africa that don't need this type of 3rd world security. A wall, electric fence, and an underpaid security guard that might steal your shoes and blame others is the norm in Nairobi. I've lived here for years and I'm ready for a change.
Okay. I see. I figured there must be more foreign control in Kenya considering countries like Ghana have been independent much longer than it. Yeah I saw a story on Dangote. Wish there were many more captains of industry like him. His type of resourcefulness, ambition, and vision is what Sub Saharan Africa really needs to develop to its potential.
this is good pretty good thanks the program this is the africa they dont show us
I love this!!!!!!
What really bothers me is that these upcoming middle class Kenyans in Nairobi are perhaps trying too hard to get into that next class that they are neglecting their children. Those maids you see in these videos are only making Ksh3000- 5000 a month ($30-$50 usd) and are treated like slaves. Yet almost everyone in Nairobi with an income of over ksh70,000 ($700usd) has a maid. They eat Ugali while the rest of the family eats meat. Instead of going out to play football , these people are buying play stations and other western junk for their children. Honestly, I don't see most middle class Nairobians as being successful nor as progress to society. We still have a lot to learn and this means shutting off the Kadashians and maybe listening to our tribal elders from time to time.
C Dawg I do agree with you on the Slave part, however you need to make more than $700 to be able to afford a maid, i know because i did live in Kenya as a business man for 8 years.
I lived in Nairobi, Kenya for 3 years myself and had neighbors earning as low as Ksh70,000 a month, paying Ksh18,000 for rent and still having a maid. It is disturbingly too common for the upcoming middle class in Nairobi. Even if I were rich, I would not get a maid but to each their own. I think it is more of a status thing in Nairobi as in "I am better than you because after all I have a maid".
***** How is it flawed? Anyways I totally understand the single mum in Nairobi who needs to work and either leaves her child with a relative or gets a maid, but I think and this analysis comes from living in Nairobi for 3 years that it is mostly a question of realizing and separating our needs from our wants. When many families in Nairobi have both parents working (this is also globally the case), it is because of perceived needs which are actually wants. Here's just one example, my friend and neighbor has 2 girls age 2 and 4. He earns Ksh 150,000 per month while his wife earns Ksh 60,000 per month. They drive a relatively new Subaru WRX, have a large TV etc. and have a maid who they pay Ksh 5000 per month. Their children are being raised by the maid, not the mum. They have gone through maids like cheap socks. What if he drove a 6 year old Toyota Raum and had a more modest TV? I bet then the mum would not have to work and could stay home. After all do not children have needs as well such as having a mother at home if at all possible? No one will care for the children more than the mum. Underpaid maids will neglect your children, steal from you, urinate in your chai and in many cases much much worst. You can see this in the daily nation. Give a maid however a fair wage such as say Ksh 25,000 a month and treat them with dignity and respect, give them weekends off and you will most likely have a very loyal and committed maid. I stand with my original statement that most upcoming middle class Nairobians have their priorities mixed up and should look at their actual needs vs. wants.
+C Dawg youre oversimplifying this issue...maids are to cater for the needs of the children, thus enabling both parents to have the opportunity of advancing their careers and bring more bacon home. Its not a status thing, in fact its scary to entrust your child to someone who you may not know well. Its a necessity. Yes some are underpaid, but thats illegal as theres a minimum wage...one thats in line with the living standards here....what your neighbours earn and how they live is none of your business...you dont know their story
+albonyo "A child is raised not only by its' parents but also by its' village" an African Proverb. That said, being a good citizen, friend and neighbor even in the 21st century, we should continue to keep an eye on our neighbors and their children for their well being as we should expect our neighbors to do their best for us and our children as well. We should continue to make it our business in doing so. While you mentioned a "legal minimum wage" in Kenya? ha ha, please be real! Are you ignorant enough to believe that a significant portion of Kenyan society subscribes to compliance of such laws? Or any laws for that matter? Most maids earn Ksh 3000-5000 / month even if the law says Ksh12,000 is minimal. Our Kenyan police take bribes while our Uhuru clears ICC because of Kenyan govt obstructions. (ah , guess who caused those obstructions....lol) You should wake up and drink some Ethiopian coffee at Java! I know MANY stories.
You missed my main point....... pay the maids a LEGAL (like you said) wage or AT least FAIR wage and you will get and retain a good maid. IF you can not afford to do so, then you are exploiting people while putting your own children in danger.
If you can afford a new SUV, plasma TV etc but can not give your maid a fair, or even legal min wage then YOU are WRONG! IF your kids suffer from this, as a good neighbor, I will make it my business!
It's what happens when you are middle class in a place where cost of living is low. She could buy more with the money she got than in places like Japan.
That American investor is very smart, the investment he made on Java coffee house is now a multi-million dollar business with several branches. Had he stayed in America he would have been swallowed by Starbucks franchise and maybe even lost his business when the economy tanked. You can't compete with Starbucks selling coffee, it's better to move abroad and start your own chain
markjabari It's a pity Java wasn't started by a local Kenyan. Kenyans shouldn't allow foreigners to control their economy.
buddy holland plz don't be sàrcastic to yourself you are the real victim here you hater
+Neg..had that white man not come to Kenya than Java NEVER becomes a business.....Kenya has what is had because of foreign investments.....does it really matter who starts the businesses as long as they employ Kenyans and help the local economy?
wats with the subtitles it's not like they're speakin martian...
hype video? i will just assume u have not been to Kenya or any sub-Saharan countries. The move from little middle class to 10% middle class (even if lower) has a HUGE impact in any economy. You have a lot to learn my friend!
i want to go home!
After 10 years
It’s better
@@GamerZz-yk3mf well.. let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
Watching this in February 2024.
Nairobi is much more developed.
Good job.
Don't I know it. Until a couple of years ago I assumed every where in Africa outside maybe Egypt and some of South Africa was just either primitive villages or slum and shanty filled dirty large cities because that's all the media ever showed. Usually when they mention an African country at all it's to talk about how the people are suffering from a war or disease or hunger or to show wildlife there.
gacaptain You need to read more and trust your TV a little less.
@nitsubasa - You should visit the country. We are really friendly and you will be surprised to find that many of us got our inspiration from African American pioneers/titans like Reginald Lewis, Oprah, Robert Johnson, Magic Johnson, Tyler Perry, Ken Chenault, Russell Simmons. The problem usually is that these Titans of business are eclipsed by pop stars and athletes. Once again, Karibu Kenya (welcome to Kenya).
But here is a question for you!! Answer it as best you can!! UA-cam has been blessed with a technology and it can set up a tv channel whereby it could scour the earth and bring to our screens more stories than the traditional television media could ever hope to cover! What is your opinion on that?
Some of the questions Americans ask Kenyans are: Does Kenya have currency or is batter trade the way to do business? Are there cars in Kenya? Do people live on trees or houses? Do people in Kenya have lions and othe wild animals as pets? Do people in Kenya drink water? I'm sure the list goes on because people choose to learn only from the media which is so biased when it comes to Africa and so they remain uneducated about the continent in general.
No.
Unfortunately many Africans want to be American including the fast food. In 1992, there were hardly any fat people in EA, now it's more of a common site. But I'll give it 5-6 years and KFC will be in Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, maybe even Juba.
I'll take Nyama Choma over KFC any day.
I hope at least Kenya and the rest of East Africa remains at least GMO free.
talk about hitting the nail on the head!! it always amazed @ how ignorant know-i-all westerners assume Africa just woke up today,I'm surprised he didn't say they are also finding out about coca cola.I'm glad u caught the subtle hints
proud to be a nairobian
FYI naigeria and ghana are far much naturaly lucky in terms of oil and waterviev.....on the other hand kenyas main source of income is actually through way of biz....
In Nairobi, there are 3 KFCs , and I have also heard of plans to open a KFC in Mombasa, whether that is yet open? Good question. Wish they would add the Grilled option... or does the West just want to make us fat first and later sell us their weight loss options? lol ... The last time I checked 507 McD are operating in Africa, and the vast major majority if not all are in SA. Are you sure MikyDz is expanding to other African countries? That would be interesting.
C Dawg What's so great about KFC. This is very unhealthy food. It will only help increase obesity and hypertension rates in Kenya.
forget hair kenya rock
@hollymatterson - True - about 50% live below $2 a day and though that goes some way, it's nowhere near enough to cater for basic needs including quality healthcare and good education. One solution to Kenya's problem is certainly the development of transparent, vibrant and deep commercial and financial markets. Buffet, who I admire greatly and Gates have both been beneficiaries of markets willing to pay for what they had to offer.
@Ura293 Everyone of middle class can afford a maid here. So you're wrong. It's not "rich". rich people here have mansions that they built themselves, and more than 3 members of staff. This lady is just a little above middle class, but I know plenty of people making 1500USD per month and they have maids. Just cos it works a certain way in your country, doesn't mean the rest of the world follows that guideline.
welkam to nairobi
success is all about hard work. I work hard in America when I make enough to own my business I pack my bags and move back to Kenya and live like a king
wacha micheso pwana ati 12yrs??that's a long time.(BTW i spammed ur comment by accident)Pwana hebu come back soon as I'm sure u've missed it bad esp Kitale
@savannahblk
It is true that not many blacks in america help. There are some, but not enough. I hope to one day do business with african countries. I believe that a financial and spiritual bridge between america's black population and africans would be in all of our best interest.