Skip to main content

The Impact of Globalization in Kenya

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Kenya
  • 230 Accesses

Abstract

Globalization is a complex, multifaceted, and often contested phenomenon. At the conceptual level, it draws different connotations around what it means, what drives it, and the benefits and/or adversities that come with it. Globalization is construed to be a process in which cultural, political, and socio-economic interactions have phenomenally grown, expanded, and intensified across societies. As a result, the flow of technology, ideas, capital, human resources, goods, and services across societies, nations, and regions over time and space has been phenomenally accelerated (Juma, 2016). However, in the rather pessimistic policy and academic circles, globalization is presented as a fashion, a fad that was tactically reinvented and repackaged in the West with the aim of consolidating and perpetuating the historically skewed gains and interests of the capitalism-dominated world economy. All this is at the expense of and to the disadvantage of the Global South in general, and Africa in particular (Thiong’o, 2006). In this way, globalization is seen as a negative force that attracts heavy liabilities and negative implications on the socio-political, cultural, economic, and environmental spheres of human life more than anything progressive.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adala, T., & Nzau, M. (2018). A Critical Review of State Responses to Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Kenya and the Wider Eastern Africa Region. In M. Y. Ali, M. Nzau, & H. Khannenje (Eds.), The Changing Dynamics of Terrorism and Violent Extremism: An Analysis (pp. 224–250). HORN Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aderonke, M., & Adejuwon, D. K. (2012). Globalization and African Political Economy: The Nigerian Experience. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2(8), 189–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amavilah, V. H., Asongu, S., & Andres, A. (2017). Effects of Globalization on Peace and Stability: Implications for Governance and the Knowledge Economy in African Countries. In AGDI Working Paper, No. WP/17/14. African Governance and Development Institute (AGDI).

    Google Scholar 

  • Amutabi, M. N. (2009). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Kenya. In M. Amutabi (Ed.), Studies in the Economic History of Kenya: Land, Water, Railways, Education, and Entrepreneurship (pp. 605–644). The Edwin Mellen Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayenagbo, K., Rongcheng, W., Wengjing, W., Nguhi, S., Kimatu, J. N., & Patrick, J. M. (2012). The Impact of Globalization on African Countries Economic Development. African Journal of Business Management, 6(44), 11057–11076.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branch, D. (2011). Kenya: Between Hope and Despair 1963–2011. Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Bank of Kenya. (2008). Kenya: Portrait of a Country; Heritage and Diversity. Central Bank of Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Bank of Kenya. (2019). Diaspora Remittances. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://www.centralbank.go.ke

  • Daramola, I., & Oyinade, B. (2015). Impact of Cultural Globalization on Africa: The Role of Western Media. International Journal of Educational Research, 3(3), 31–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drehel, A., Gaston, N., & Martens, P. (2008). Measuring Globalization: Gauging Its Consequences. Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, N., Goldhammer, J., & Weber, S. (2013). Deviant Globalization. In M. Miklancic & J. Brewer (Eds.), Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization (pp. 2–15). NDU Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Kenya. (2019). Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://www.mygov.go.ke; https://www.ecitizen.go.ke; www.mfa.go.ke

  • Gygli, S., Haelg, F., Potrafke, N., & Strum, J. E. (2019). The KOF Globalization Index—Revisited. The Review of International Organizations, 14(3), 543–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Held, D., McGrew, A., Goldblatt, D., & Perraton, J. (1999). Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture. Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hornsby, C. (2012). Kenya: A History Since Independence. I.B Tauris.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Juma, C. (2016). Globalization as We Know It Has Failed. Africa Has an Alternative. In World Economic Forum. Retrieved May 13, 2019, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda /2016/10/kenya-is-giving-globalization-an-african-twist-and-it-s-paying-off/ https://www.weforum.org

  • Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). Foreign Investment Survey 2018. KNBS.

    Google Scholar 

  • KOF Swiss Economic Institute. (2016). KOF Globalization Index. Retrieved May 25th 2019, from https://kof.ethz.ch/ at 2100hrs, E.A.T.

  • Maxon, R., & Ofcansky, T. P. (2014). A Historical Dictionary of Kenya. Rowman and Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munene, M. (2012). Historical Reflections on Kenya: Intellectual Adventurism, Politics, and International Relations. University of Nairobi Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwangi, O. G. (2016). Continuity and Change in Kenya’s Defense and Foreign Policies: The Impact of the New Security Dilemma. In M. M. Kithinji, M. M. Koster, & J. P. Rotich (Eds.), Kenya After 50: Reconfiguring Historical, Political and Policy Milestones (pp. 245–266). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obama, B. (2004). Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Three Rivers Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potrafke, N. (2015). The Evidence on Globalization. The World Economy, 38(3), 509–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R. (2012). A History of Modern Africa: 1800 to the Present. Oxford, John Wiley & Sons

    Google Scholar 

  • The Swedish Institute of International Affairs. (2013). Combating the Undercurrents of Globalization in the Developing World: The Next Frontier for the High Technology Industry. In Utrikespoliska Institutet Occasional Papers, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiong’o, N. W. (2006). Europhone or African Memory: The Challenge of the Pan-Africanist Intellectual in the Era of Globalization. Wajibu: A Journal of Social and Religious Concern, 21(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tijani, H. I., Njoku, R. C., & Jones, T. (2010). Africa and the Wider World. Pearson Learning Solutions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanjohi, G. W. (2006). Globalization in Not the Problem. Wajibu: A Journal of Social and Religious Concern, 21(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2019). Global Economic Prospects, 2020. Washington, DC; World Bank, Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.com accessed on 19th May 2019, at 1910hrs, E.A.T.

  • Yanzuko, K. I. (2013). Impact of Globalization on the Traditional African Cultures. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, 15, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nzau, M. (2023). The Impact of Globalization in Kenya. In: Nasong'o, W.S., Amutabi, M.N., Falola, T. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Kenya. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15854-4_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15854-4_23

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15853-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15854-4

  • eBook Packages: HistoryHistory (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics