We tracked 20 years of crop cycles and protests in Kenya – unrest follows a clear seasonal rhythm

Agricultural cycles structure much of rural economic life in developing economies, where smallholder farming remains a primary source of employment and income. Smallholder farmers typically live on the edge of subsistence, often experiencing fluctuations in income, liquidity and labour demand over the agricultural year.

In Kenya, farmers have tended to complain about low commodity prices, delayed payments, land disputes, competition from cheaper imports, and inadequate infrastructure. This is particularly the case in…

© La Conversation - mardi 10 novembre 2026