Posts by Saburi Chirimi
Save the Ugali!
I recently visited smallholder farmers in Iringa, Tanzania, with a team of nine journalists. We learned that ugali, the most common staple starch in my home country of Kenya, is under threat! But we also saw some incredible projects underway to save the dish.
Four Questions with Saburi Chirimi
Saburi Chirimi has been advancing social change from our Nairobi office since 2014. In this interview, Julie Mankowski explores the projects Saburi works on, the impact they have, and why she calls her bike “Chuck Norris.”
Home Is Where the Forest Is
After centuries of caring for their forest home, the last remaining forest dwellers of Kenya find themselves trespassers on their own land, which has been designated a national game reserve.
Dam These Mosquitoes!
In a new research paper published in the Malaria Journal, researchers from the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems found that over one million people in sub-Saharan Africa will contract malaria this year because they live near a large dam. This study quantified the correlation between the location of large dams and the incidence of malaria, and to quantify the impacts across the region.
Agriculture and the Africa Rising Narrative
Africa is the next frontier of the global economy. Several African countries boast some of the fastest growth rates in the world. Four of the world’s top 10 fastest growing economies in 2015 and 2016 are forecasted to be in Africa. And yet, the sector that employs as much as 60 percent of Africa’s labor force only accounts for 25 percent of the gross domestic product. Why the disconnect?
Africa’s First “Water Fund” Offers Hope for Nairobi Residents
The Tana River is critical to the Kenyan economy, serving 9.3 million people. It provides 95 percent of Nairobi’s water and half of Kenya’s hydropower-generated electricity. However, it is troubled by soil erosion and falling reserves, which translate into higher costs for utility companies and businesses at a time of rapidly rising water demand. Enter Africa's first-ever "Water Fund" led by The Nature Conservancy and the publication of the business case for the fund.
