CHURCH AND CULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF CHURCH OF GOD AMONG THE IDAKHO, KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA, 1890-1972 BY LEEN KAVULAVU A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF PHILOSOPHY IN HISTORY MOI UNIVERSITY ELDORET AUGUST, 2014 ii DECLARATION DECLARATION BY CANDIDATE This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or diploma in any other university. Leen Kavulavu (SASS/PGH/02/10) Signature: ……………………………….. Date: …………………………… RECOMMENDATION BY SUPERVISORS This thesis is the candidate’s work and has been prepared with our guidance and assistance; it has been submitted with our approval as official University Supervisors. Prof. Nicholas E. Makana Dept. of History, Political Science & Public Administration, School of Arts & Social Sciences, Moi University, ELDORET. Signature: ……………………………… Date: ………………………………….. Dr. Timothy A.Onduru Dept of History, Political Science & Public Administration, School of Arts & Social Sciences, Moi University, ELDORET. Signature: ………………………………… Date: ……………………………….. iii ABSTRACT This study examined the Idakho culture during pre- colonial period and the social transformation when they interacted with Christian values by focusing on Church of God Mission. The spread of Christianity and western education in Idakho had a broad impact as an approach to reinforce evangelization and to win converts. Education as taught by missionaries of Church of God led to the emergence of pioneer teacher evangelists and the educated elite who had comparatively well paid jobs as professional teachers, clerks, local administrators and farmers. These pioneer educated elite and their children consolidated their social and economic power, both in the church and the Kenyan Government. This study attempted to assess the role of the Church of God in the transformation of Idakho. The specific objectives of the study were to; examine the culture of the Idakho before the coming of Christian missionaries, examine the establishment of the Church of God in Idakho, explore the responses of the Idakho to Christianity and identify and analyse the role of Church of God mission in Idakho societal transformation. The study spans through three phases namely; pre-colonial Idakho, which saw the political, social and economic organization of the Idakho before they interacted with Christian values; 1905-1935, which saw the establishment of the Church of God in Idakho, the Idakho conversion to Church of God and the emergence of Church of God pioneer teacher-evangelists; 1935-1953, which saw the emergence of Church of God educated elite who were also professional teachers, clerks as well as commercial and agricultural elite; 1953-1972, which witnessed the impact of the Church of God as an instrument of transformation in Idakho and the transfer of power and property from the Church of God Missionary board to the indigenous African. The initiatives and the struggles of the Idakho for betterment of their educational status is also given special attention. Methodology for this study involved data collection from secondary sources and mostly primary data derived from archival and field research. Data analysis was done along the lines of conflict functionalism theory. The study concludes that the difficult financial situation that had faced Church of God missionary board hindered the expansion of the church in Idakho. Therefore the survival of the Church of God in Idakho depended on the influence of the teacher-evangelist and the educated elite. Moreover, the early success of education and other programs like health and agriculture led to the development of the educated elite who became agents of transformation. iv DEDICATION To my grandfather Philip Nabwangu Shiholo v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I greatly thank the almighty God for his loving, kindness and sufficient enabling environment during the period of this study. I am particularly indebted to my supervisors for the support and guidance l received from them. I owe my supervisor, Professor Nicholas E. Makana, of Moi University a special gratitude for the commitment he gave to my work throughout this study. It was he who advised me to take time and visit University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University libraries. Am greatly indebted to my second supervisor, Dr. Timothy A.Onduru of Moi University, whose critical comments, honest evaluation, suggestions and practical assistance have been sources of inspiration. Dr. Onduru’s comments have led to substantial improvement of this thesis. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance l have received from the entire fraternity of lecturers and staff of the School of Arts and Social Sciences and Moi University for having opened its scholarly atmosphere which enabled me to achieve relevant knowledge. My appreciation also goes to the members of staff of Kenya National Archives, Nairobi who were friendly and helpful during my research at the archives. I am also grateful to my classmate Sara and Ruth for sharing with me their experiences and challenges during my study. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance l received from the many informants throughout Idakho land who gave me their time, thought and ideas as l collected data. Many thanks to my father Levi Mugalavai Musalia and mother Anne Koster Mugalavai for their patience and encouragement. My sisters, Viona Muleke and Cynthia Chamwada, all in their small ways fired my imagination. To you all, l thank you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION.................................................................................................................ii ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................iii DEDICATION....................................................................................................................iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................................ix LIST OF MAPS...................................................................................................................x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS............................................................xi CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................................1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY..................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................1 1.2 The Study Area..............................................................................................................4 1.3 Statement of the Problem...............................................................................................9 1.4 Aim of the Study............................................................................................................9 1.5 Objectives of the Study..................................................................................................9 1.6 Research Questions......................................................................................................10 1.7 Assumptions/ Hypotheses............................................................................................10 1.8 Scope of the Study.......................................................................................................10 1.9 Justification of the Study..............................................................................................11 1.10 Theoretical Framework..............................................................................................12 1.11 Literature Review.......................................................................................................15 1.12 Research Methodology..............................................................................................23 CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................27 PRE- COLONIAL IDAKHO CULTURE......................................................................27 2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................27 2.2 Migration and Settlement.............................................................................................27 2.3 Political Organisation...................................................................................................32 2.4 Economic Organisation................................................................................................34 2.5 Social Organisation......................................................................................................38 vii 2.6 Conclusion...................................................................................................................49 CHAPTER THREE.........................................................................................................50 INTRODUCTION AND THE EARLY PHASE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD INTO IDAKHO, 1905-1935........................................................................................................50 3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................50