Date: 03/03/2025
Author: Deborah Timoni, University of Southampton
Bio:
Deborah Timoni (D.O.Timoni@soton.ac.uk) is a researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Southampton specializing in democratic innovation, technology adoption, and political participation. Her work explores how democratic innovations transfer between the Global North and South, with a particular focus on youth engagement and digital tools in Nigeria. With a background in engineering, she brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to understanding governance and collective decision-making. Passionate about bridging research and practice, Deborah’s work aims to inform policy and create more inclusive democratic processes. Her PhD is funded by the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership.
Asante Sana! Karibu! These were the words we were trying to learn on our way to the airport for a one-week trip to Kenya, sponsored by SCDTP. Exploring the beautiful coastal city of Mombasa was a privilege—visiting Fort Jesus, planting mangroves, and engaging with the local community were unforgettable experiences. But none of that compared to the depth of knowledge we gained on this trip.
One thing that truly stood out to me was a deeper understanding of colonialism—and the realisation that colonialism does not define Africa, nor does it define Kenya. Colonisation was just one of many disruptions in Africa’s history; it should not be the reference point for Kenyan history. Framing everything as “pre-colonial” misrepresents the African experience. Kenya has always been rich in culture, language, and governance systems. Even before colonisation, there were kingdoms, chiefdoms, and political structures that shaped society. This led us into discussions on decoloniality and the importance of reclaiming our narratives.
The global system often portrays Africa as dependent and exploited, but decoloniality challenges us to look inward first—rather than scrambling for crumbs from someone else’s table. It shifts the focus from blame to accountability and responsibility. The reality is that many of the challenges we see in Africa exist everywhere. We have abundant resources, yet they remain untapped or are owned by others. Dependency only breeds greater dependence, which in turn limits true freedom. If we continue reinforcing the inequalities created by colonial legacies, we are only driving them further.
We were also encouraged to write using restorative language—framing solutions rather than simply critiquing problems. Our contributions should be meaningful, our presence visible. We must strive to discover new ideas, acknowledge our own shortcomings, and approach knowledge with fresh eyes. We need to challenge intrinsic hierarchies, create our own theories, and remain aware of global agendas.
And so, I was left with burning questions: How do I create spaces where everyone has a voice? How do we rewrite the narratives about Africa—ones that focus on poverty, illiteracy, and disease? How do we get others to buy into new ideas? How do we break free from the saviour mentality?
Our philosophies must be recognised as unifying forces. We must reclaim, reimagine, and reframe the stories we tell about Africa.
