Research Artical

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.30.20:4000/handle/123456789/173

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Start date: 2024

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    Pastoralism reorganised: Maasai resilience and governance in the shadow of mega-infrastructure in Tanzania
    (Cogent Social Sciences- Taylor &Francis, 2026) Chambo, Makulangwa Jeremiah; Massoi, lucy Willy
    Mega-infrastructure projects are widely promoted as engines of modernisation in Africa, yet their implications for pastoralist societies remain contested. this article examines how Tanzania’s Standard Gauge railway (SGr) has reshaped livelihoods, governance, and spatial practices among the Ilparakuyo Maasai in Kilosa District. using interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, the study draws on lefebvre’s notion of the production of space and resilience theory to analyze community responses. the findings show that the SGr has not displaced pastoralists but reorganised their practices through adaptation rather than transformation. Stations and adjacent settlements became economic hubs appropriated by women traders and youth entrepreneurs, with profits often reinvested in livestock, reinforcing pastoral continuity. resilience emerged through livelihood diversification, though unevenly distributed across households. Governance appeared as a contested arena, where elders mediated disputes, women pressed for inclusion, and state regulations reshaped authority. the study argues that the SGR generates hybrid socio-spatial realities in which pastoralists assert agency, reorganise livelihoods, and renegotiate authority. By moving beyond binary narratives of disruption versus modernisation, it extends debates on infrastructure, resilience, and governance in African rangelands.
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    From victims to beneficiaries: Empowerment and participation of women in the Kidunda Dam Project in Morogoro, Tanzania
    (Mzumbe Unversity, 2024) Nuru , Jackson; Massoi , Lucy W.; Fundi, Saida S.
    This article explores the empowerment and participation of women in developing the Kidunda Dam project in Tanzania, using the ladder of citizen participation framework to analyse their participation in decision-making, social and community engagement, and economic contributions. A qualitative research design was employed, with data collected through in depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and documentary reviews, with a thematic analysis technique to identify and analyse the key themes related to women's participation in decision-making, social and community engagement, and economic contributions. Findings reveal that women have taken on various roles, including participation in project committees and contributing to decision-making processes, promoting transparency, information sharing, and increased community engagement. Economically, women have leveraged the dam's construction to initiate business ventures, significantly contributing to the local livelihoods. This article emphasises that empowerment in mega infrastructure projects requires more than formal participation. It demands equitable engagement at every stage. In alignment with the goals of Agenda 2063, the study underscores the need for gender-sensitive infrastructure design to promote inclusive and sustainable development. Policy recommendations call for participatory practices that ensure women's contributions are recognised, valued, and integrated into development frameworks.