So just recently National Geographic posted a photo about Kenyan middle class and this photo sparked so much debate and discussions. People could not believe how on earth the Kenyan Middle class can afford laptops and a maid. There were also other ignorant comments from people who didn't know that such a photo can represent a country like Kenya.
I do not blame them. Back in the day, people would ONLY see the negative images from Africa and countries like Kenya. Images about poverty, disease, crime and disaster. We still have a long way to go in terms of telling our story. However, most African countries are tired of this one-sided narrative and have chosen in fact to tell their own story. Now that people have access to internet and smart phones, people are taking their own photos and telling their own stories. Just look for the #thisismykenya and #magicalkenya hashtags on social media and you will see how great a country we have.
Anyway, let me come back to this image. Let me lift some comments from this post. I will not reveal the names but just let's just look at some opinions from both sides.
Supporters
Those who see nothing wrong with the image and in fact celebrate it. I picked up some comments from Instagram.
Are these people angry or confused that this is Africa? Hey you sad souls, thats a middle class family in Nairobi, Kenya.
I get sick and tired of people seeing Africa as some feed the children NGO wasteland. It’s nice for people to see another side of Africa that were not all poor and needing help from NGOs, but some folks on here can’t handle seeing Africa in another light without being negative.
I have family in Western Africa that aren’t upper class but middle class. They have laptops and computers. Please even middle class Africans can afford those things. You think this is unattainable in Africa?
That's better than this small town in the US. I bought a tablet for a family for Christmas this year. Their first ever device. They'll go to McDonald's or the school to have wifi. Good for the family pictured, there are privileged and needy throughout the globe.
It is...I'm from a middle class family in Nairobi and this is what's up... Technology is widespread in Kenya. If a middle class family in Nairobi doesn't have that then technology probably isn't a priority to that particular family.
I like how you’ve convinced yourself. Trust me this is the middle class even middle lower to be specific. How much is an electronic anyway ? And it’s not like they’re having MacBook Pro or something expensive ....it’s quite normal here.
Opposers
These are views of those people who claim that this is not a Kenyan middle class family or just have some objections. I picked up some comments from Instagram.
Now am having a hard time trying to figure out what’s Middle class in 🇰🇪
Beautiful family, beautiful picture ...But this represents less than 5% of Kenya.
Middle Class? That's the upper 10% class.
I agree that Africa is rising and good on @ natgeo for showing another realistic narrative. However, I don’t think this picture is truly representative of middle class in Kenya; definitely the rich there though. I lived there for about 5 years on and off. Kenya has been far ahead of the innovation curve for decades now but all@of these luxuries are afforded to a select few. House help and a nanny is fairly affordable for some of the middle class there, but I’d argue it’s still out of touch for most there and again, a privilege for the 1%. It looks like this family is more of the 1% living in Karen, Muthaiga or Kileleshwa. The inequality gap in Kenya of extremely rich and poor isn’t something I have witnessed as bad in the US. So while it’s good to portray Africa rising I also wouldn’t deceive folks into thinking this type of lifestyle in this picture is indicative of the larger middle class because it’s not.
Eeh probably upper middle class. Maybe even just plain old rich. Speaking as a Kenyan. Nice to see this though.
My Take
I loved that this image sparked alot of debate and Kenyans were fast enough to explain to people in a respectful way about some misconceptions. This is the internet and there were some downright rude comments that I will not even bring on Steemit.
pic by @njoromuts
I live in Kenya and here are a few facts that most people do not know. These pertain to the above photo.
- Kenya has 43,329,434 Internet users as of June/2017, 89.4% of the population, according to CAK ( Communication Authority of Kenya)
- The Internet first became available in Kenya in 1993 and gained full access in 1995.
- There are many service providers installing internet into people's homes at a rate of approximately 2,000 ksh ($ 20) for 4mbps per month.
- Owning a laptop is normal for the middle class as there are many types of laptops in the market. Young graduates and professionals living in the city have laptops.
- Middle class families also with children have laptops and the children use them sometimes.
- It is normal to have helps because they are not very expensive. The demand for such work is high and most homes have helps who clean clothes, cook and take care of children when the parents are at work. They are paid anywhere from Ksh 4,000 ($ 40) to Ksh 50,000 ($ 500) depending on the type of employer, type of work etc.
So, I think that that picture is a good depiction of upper middle class community depending on other things I observe from the picture like the home finishing etc. The Kenyan middle class is very wide.
What are your views?
Disclaimer:
This post was meant to educate and bring to light issues such as this.
However, that does not mean that the other negative things are not happening. There is a huge divide between the rich and the poor and yes, some families live below the poverty line just like in many countries but that is a discussion for another day. It is great to challenge the misconception that it is all bad.
Link to post : https://www.instagram.com/p/BdKUBrljxVy/
This is a really interesting post Jean. As you know, I live in Panama and this family could easily be there. I see a lot of middle class/wealthy people in Panama City, who live in gorgeous homes, have all the latest tech and staff cleaning their houses/looking after the kids. You're right, labour is not expensive at all (compared to Australia for example where childcare costs are ridiculously high and having a cleaner is a luxury).
On the other hand, if you go outside of Panama City there are a lot more people living in poverty and this is what the mainstream view of people who haven't been there think whole country is like. It doesn't surprise me that the wealthier African nations are the same.
As a side note--and without possibly meaning to--your blog is doing a great job of exposing people to (upper) middle class life in Kenya. I think it's really great and one of the reasons I continue to follow you.
Thanks @choogirl I loved this picture because it sparked debate and even opened people up. On a side note, do you think costs for childcare in Panama are high because very few people are willing to do it and so the scarcity leads to high prices? Because I think for us, the prices are low because many people are unemployed and are willing to do such jobs.
I am very glad that people can tell their stories outside of what the media focusses on. I also love that with "experiental" travel, people can get to go and see for themselves instead of relying on the news.
*I have realized that you always support me and I am grateful for that. I also love what you are doing for Team Austraia. Cheers to a successful new year. *
Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. Australia has high childcare costs (due to high wages and numerous govt regulations around who can look after kids and where), but in Panama it's really cheap. Everyone has a nanny.
Thanks for your comment :)
Oh now I get it. Thanks :)
Interesting post. When I play online games with people and I tell them that I'm from South Africa they are surprised and assume we are far behind from a tech point of view.
I know right. But it is up to us to change the perceptions. Thanks for stopping by.
Great post Jean- middle class is the backbone of any economy, their borrowing and spending is what always drive the economy wheel.
We should always be positive and not hate on the decisions that the middle class make.
True. Couldn't agree more.
I guess they could be in any class, considering that one would need to understand where to draw the line between the classes. It is backward to think that an average person there couldn't afford any sort of device, but rushed to think that these people in the picture are either rich or poor, or simply just middle class. Good post. Gives people something to consider before jumping to conclusions.
That is true. I agree with "it is hard to draw the line" because we live in a society with diverse needs, tastes and once cannot simply judge them by a single picture. I feel like more interaction with the family is needed in order to classify them.
That's for sure. The only way to fully understand would be more knowledge.
I so love the fact that there's a debate about the photo
Same here. It educates and informs people.
We should keep telling the other side of the story so that we are not always viewed as a waste land. How I laugh when people ask me some questions about my country. But since the media has been funneling only one side of the story it seems expected. We need to start doing the opposite. This is a wonderful post.