Artists Envision a New Utopia for Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital

Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, has historically been referred to as “the green city in the sun” due to its blend of forest and grasslands amidst urban development. However, this perception varies significantly depending on the vantage point. While it might hold true when viewed from the city’s affluent apartment complexes or residences, it does not apply to its densely populated informal settlements. In these areas, life is often marked by destitution and environmental calamities, including floods and fatal landslides. Despite these challenges, an art collective named Kairos Futura is endeavoring to transform some of the city’s seemingly dystopian elements into a utopian vision, or at least to illustrate how such a state could be realized. Their exhibition, titled Hakuna Utopia, showcases the creations of seven artists who delve into themes of apocalypse and resilience, sometimes in abstract ways, as they address the daily struggles faced by Nairobi’s six million inhabitants. Stoneface Bombaa, a member of the collective, grew up in Mathare, which is the capital’s second-largest informal settlement. He has overcome significant obstacles to establish himself as an artist and aims to use his art to highlight the living conditions of people in Mathare, who frequently lack employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Bombaa describes their existence as a “hand-to-mouth economy,” where uncertainty about their next meal is constant. He states, “People are really angry,” but believes that through art, he can “channel” his community’s frustration into something constructive because “art unites.” Bombaa initially planned to establish “micro-utopia” sites, inspired by the exhibition, across the city. He named one such concept the “jungle room,” intending to foster a connection with nature within Mathare itself, thereby attempting to bridge the ecological divide. Ironically, the specific building he had identified for this purpose was subsequently demolished by authorities to facilitate road construction. Undeterred, he has since been taking children from his community, who often live in unimaginable urban squalor, to experience Nairobi’s lush parks and introduce them to green spaces. “There are no trees or green spaces in Mathare,” Bombaa observes. Nevertheless, by contemplating the concept of utopia, he is convinced that he can imagine a scenario where residents of his community would have unrestricted access to the city’s green areas. This approach, he believes, allows his community members to assert their right to access nature, a right currently denied to them simply due to their economic status. Bombaa also expresses concern that ordinary Nairobians, who often struggle financially, are required to pay fees to enter some of the city’s most beautiful locations, such as the arboretum or Karura forest. The Kairos Futura team also draws inspiration from nature to creatively address pressing environmental concerns. For instance, Coltrane McDowell has applied this principle to architecture. In his piece, Invisible Cities, he drew inspiration from termite mounds to envision future architectural possibilities. Another artist featured in the exhibition, Abdul Rop, renowned for his captivating woodcut prints and paintings, asserts that for Nairobians to “achieve utopia,” collective effort is essential. He explains, “That’s why the young people are agitating right now for change,” implying their frustration with a corrupt political system that restricts their potential. This year, Gen Z played a leading role in protests against new tax policies, which ultimately led to an embarrassing reversal by the government. Rop contends that by exploring utopia through the medium of art, young people can discover innovative methods to advocate for their future. He believes that this is not a far-fetched idea, but rather a means to envision a bolder and more equitable future for his city. He concludes, “The moment to act for the future is now.” Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaCopyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved.  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.