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Kuiper, Gerda and Gemaehlich, Andreas (2017). Sustainability and Depoliticisation: Certifications in the Cut-Flower Industry at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Afr. Spectr., 52 (3). S. 31 - 54. HAMBURG: GIGA INST AFRICAN AFFAIRS. ISSN 1868-6869

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Abstract

This article focuses on the emergence of certification schemes in the cut-flower industry in Naivasha, Kenya. It is shown that, although this turn is often legitimised through references to sustainability, the change was mainly brought about by the growing importance of a new value chain of direct sales. The article furthermore elaborates on the most wellknown certificate in Naivasha, Fairtrade. This certificate aims to enhance sustainability by empowering workers, yet it does not profoundly change power relations within the industry. The article concludes that sustainability in the context of Naivasha has been an ill-defined concept, used to legitimise a turn to certifications. Rather than bringing about a profound transformation of the production process, these certifications obscure and even consolidate the existing socio-economic configuration of the industry. Certifications thus run the risk of having depoliticising effects.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Kuiper, Gerda UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Gemaehlich, Andreas UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-242868
DOI:	10.1177/000203971705200302
Journal or Publication Title:	Afr. Spectr.
Volume:	52
Number:	3
Page Range:	S. 31 - 54
Date:	2017
Publisher:	GIGA INST AFRICAN AFFAIRS
Place of Publication:	HAMBURG
ISSN:	1868-6869
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS; COMMODITY NETWORKS; LABOR-MANAGEMENT; ETHICAL TRADE; FAIR TRADE; STANDARDS; GOVERNANCE; ORGANIZATION; MARKET Multiple languages Area Studies Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/24286