YOUTH SOCIALIZATION IN ETHNIC POLITICS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY: THE CASE OF KIBRA CONSTITUENCY. GEOFFREY MACHUKA NYARIEKO REG. NO C50/23401/2012 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (POLITICAL SCIENCE) AT KENYATTA UNIVERSITY AUGUST 2017 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University. Signature: _________________________ Date: ________________________ Geoffrey Machuka Nyarieko C50/23401/2012 Supervisors This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University supervisors. Signature: _________________________ Date: ________________________ Dr. Susan Mwangi Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies Signature: _________________________ Date: ________________________ Dr. Joseph Wasonga Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies iii DEDICATION Special dedication to the soul of my father Nelson Nyarieko Masongo, who believed in socializing young people to be good citizens through the provision of education iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The writing of this thesis could not have been a success without the contribution of various partners. Firstly, I take this opportunity to thank my mom Alice Moraa Nyarieko, who worked tirelessly to ensure that I met all my academic requirements. Secondly, I thank my supervisors: Dr. Susan Mwangi and Dr. Joseph Wasonga for guiding me throughout the course. Special thanks go to my beloved wife Mary Nyaboke as well as my wonderful daughter and sons Beatrice Moraa, Nelson Nyarieko and Radford Masongo, who continued with their normal life in my absence. Special regards also go to my sister Josephine and my brother William Kengere for the support during my study. I also give gratitude to all my sisters, Jerusha, Mwango, Esnah, Divinah, Nancy, Linet, brothers-in-law Machoka, Richard and Kirwa as well my nephew Brian for their support and prayers during my study. My sincere thanks go to the Chairperson of History Archaeology and political studies- Dr. Washington Ndiiri- with his staff Dr. Kiruthu, Dr.Esese, Dr.Kisiangani, Dr. Imbisi, Dr. Wafula, Dr. Kakai, Prof Mwanzi, Dr. Oduor, Mr. Gitu, Mr. Nabende as well as my classmates Ochieng, Nyakundi, Loice, and Dorris Kipng'eno. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION............................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION.................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................... iv OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ................................................................ v GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................ ix ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ......................................................................... x TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. v ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Background of the Study ................................................................................ 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................................... 6 1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 7 1.5 Research Premises .................................................................................................. 8 1.6 Justification and Significance of the study ........................................................... 8 1.7 Scope and Limitation ............................................................................................ 10 1.8 Literature Review ................................................................................................. 11 1.8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 11 1.8.2 The Evolution of political socialization. .......................................................... 11 1.8.3 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 18 1.9 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 21 1.9.1 Research Design............................................................................................... 21 1.9.2 The Area of Study ............................................................................................ 21 vi 1.9.3 The Target Population...................................................................................... 23 1.9.4 Sampling Techniques .................................................................................. 24 1.9.5 Research Instruments ....................................................................................... 24 1.9.6 Instrument Test ................................................................................................ 25 1.9.7 Data Collection Procedures .............................................................................. 26 1.9.8 Data Analysis and Presentation ....................................................................... 27 1.9.9 Ethical Considerations ..................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................ 28 THE MEDIA AND SOCIALIZATION OF THE YOUTH IN ETHNIC POLITICS ........................................................................................................................................... 28 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 28 2.2 The Role of the Media in Socialization of Youth in Ethnic Politics ................. 28 2.3 Printed Media and Youth socialization in Ethnic Politics. .............................. 35 2.3.1 Ethnicity in the Colonial Kenya ....................................................................... 36 2.3.2 Kenyatta Era..................................................................................................... 37 2.3.3 Moi Era ............................................................................................................ 38 2.3.4 Kibaki and Uhuru Era ...................................................................................... 42 2.4 Who is a youth? ..................................................................................................... 43 2.5 The place of youth in Kibra Constituency .......................................................... 44 2.6 Chapter Summary and Conclusion. .................................................................... 57 CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................ 59 SOCIALIZATION OF THE YOUTH IN ETHNIC POLITICS BY THE FAMILY59 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 59 3.2 The formation of attitude in politics within the families among the youth ..... 59 3.2.1 Development of ethnic political awareness among the youth within the family ................................................................................................................................... 61 vii 3.2.2 The Role of the Family in Socialization of Youth along Ethnic Lines ............ 65 3.3 Summary and Conclusion .................................................................................... 70 CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................... 71 THE ROLE OF PEERS, SCHOOL AND ITS ENVIRONMENT IN THE SOCIALIZATION OF THE YOUTH IN ETHNIC POLITICS ................................ 71 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 71 4.2 The School and its Environment as a Political Socializing Agent .................... 72 4.3 The Role of the Peer in Political Attitude Formation among the Youth. ........ 81 4.4 The Role of the School in Socialization of Youth along Ethnic Lines .............. 85 4.5 The Role of the Peer in Ethnic Formation Among the Youth .......................... 90 4.6 Chapter Summary and conclusion ...................................................................... 92 CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................ 94 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ..................................... 94 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 94 5.2 Summary ................................................................................................................