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Intra-Ethnic Relations Among the Sabaot of Mt.Elgon, Kenya, 1945-2010

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Intra-Ethnic Relations Among the Sabaot of Mt.Elgon, Kenya, 1945-2010 ii INTRA-ETHNIC RELATIONS AMONG THE SABAOT OF MT.ELGON, KENYA, 1945-2010 KEDOGO BEATRICE D. IMBUYE C50/CE/11307/07 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER, 2016 iii iv DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my husband, Kenneth Imbuye Atepe, my son Edson Oyatsi Imbuye and my daughter Doddie Ayako Imbuye v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For this work to have reached this level, it took the input of many people and institutions. Although I cannot wholly express my gratitude to all of them, I take this opportunity to mention just a few. To Kenyatta University and the Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, I say thank you for granting me an opportunity to pursue my Master of Arts degree. This is where my intellectual abilities have been developed and shaped. Special thanks go to my supervisors, Prof. Mwanzi Henry and Dr. Wekesa Peter Wafula for their profound guidance and advice, their commitment to read, edit, correct and suggest ideas that went along way in shaping this work. I also express my gratitude to Dr. Murunga. G, Dr. Kakai P, Dr. Gimode, Dr. Kisiang‟ani, Dr. Omwoyo, Dr. Nasong‟o and Dr. Ndeda for their input in this work. I cannot forget the cooperation received from the entire History, Archaeology and Political Studies Department of Kenyatta University‟s staff. Live long. For my research to have taken shape, materials were sourced from the University of Nairobi‟s Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library, Macmillan Library, Kenya National Archives and the Post- Modern Library of Kenyatta University. To the staff of these institutions, I say thank you for your cooperation. I cannot forget my research assistants George Chesang and Alfred Korir for your tireless labor and the difficult journeys you took to enable me get the information that I required. God bless you. I am also indebted to my friends and staff mates who encouraged me not to give up in the quest for knowledge. Some provided books, visited me, accommodated me and vi prayed for me. They are many, but let me mention Ruth Kituzi, thanks alot. What can I say to Sitati George, Bill Kituzi, Marango Charles, Wekesa Timothy, Mzee Masika, Caro and Nelson Makanda? I appreciate you. To my sisters, Jescah, Alice, Everlyn and Phanice, thanks for the sacrifices you have made for me to finish my studies, may God bless your lives and families. I give thanks to my Mum, Catherine Mugisa and Dad, Divis Deveta, for their encouragement and prayers. I cannot forget to appreciate my mother in law, Priscilla Ayuko and my brothers in law for their encouragement. To my beloved husband and father to my children, I cannot fully express my thanks to you. You paid the fees, ensured I was comfortable and moreso allowed me to be absent from home to pursue this noble task. You comforted and took care of our children in my absence and made sure they were comfortable. Thank you for being there for me. To my children, Edson and Doddie, thank you for allowing me to study. Finally to the almighty God, I thank you for having brought me this far. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. DEDICATION .............................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... vv TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................................................... xiv GLOSSARY OF SABAOT TERMS ......................................................................... xvii ABSTRACT ..............................................................................................................xviii CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................1 1.1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................7 1.3 Objectives of the Study ..........................................................................................8 1.4 Research Premises ..................................................................................................8 1.5 Literature Review ...................................................................................................9 1.6 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 18 1.7Justification and Significance of the Study ............................................................ 25 1.8 Scope and Limitations .......................................................................................... 26 1.9 Research Methodology ......................................................................................... 26 1.9.1 Research Design ............................................................................................ 26 1.9.2 Variables/ Categories of Analysis .................................................................. 27 1.9.3 Area of the Study ........................................................................................... 27 1.9.4 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size .......................................................... 30 1.9.5 Research Instruments ..................................................................................... 30 1.9.6 Data Collection Procedures ............................................................................ 31 1.9.7 Data Analysis................................................................................................. 32 viii 1.9.8 Data Management and Ethical Considerations................................................ 33 CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................... 34 THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL ROOTS OF INTRA-ETHNIC RELATIONS AMONG THE SABAOT ..................................................................... 34 2.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 34 2.1 The People ........................................................................................................... 35 2.2 Geographical Location, Administrative Frontiers and Climate .............................. 37 2.3 Physical and Natural Resources ............................................................................ 40 2.4 Migration and Settlement of the Sabaot ................................................................ 42 2.5 Socio- Economic and Political Organization ......................................................... 46 2.5.1 Social Organisation. ....................................................................................... 46 2.5.2 Economic Organization.................................................................................. 50 2.5.3 Political Organization .................................................................................... 51 2.6 The Impact of Sabaot Relations with her Neighbours on Intra-ethnic Relations .... 53 2.7 Establishment of Colonial Rule and its Impact on Intra- Ethnic Relations ............. 55 2.8 Colonial Land Policies and their Impact on Intra-ethnic Relations in Mt. Elgon Region ....................................................................................................................... 66 2.9 The Coming of Christianity and its Impact on Intra-Ethnic Relations. .................. 70 CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................................... 77 THE IMPACT OF DECOLONISATION ON INTRA-ETHNIC RELATIONS AMONG THE SABAOT (1945-1963) ......................................................................... 77 3.0 Introduction. ......................................................................................................... 77 3.1 The Impact of the Second World War among the Sabaot Clans ............................ 78 3.2 Emergence of Dini Ya Musambwa (DYM) and its influence on Intra-Ethnic Relations in Mt. Elgon Region ................................................................................... 83 3.3 Decolonization and its Impact on intra-ethnic Relations in Mt. Elgon ................... 87 3.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 95 ix CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................... 97 INTRA-COMMUNITY RELATIONS WITHIN THE SABAOT CLANS IN THE POST-INDEPENDENCE ERA (1963-1992)............................................................... 97 4.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 97 4.1 Influence of Politics on Intra-Ethnic Relations ...................................................... 98 4.2 Influence of Land Distribution / Management on Intra-Ethnic
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