THE EFFECT OF THE MUNGIKI SECT ON ACCESS TO EDUCATION IN NYERI COUNTY, KENYA BY MAINGI SAMMY MUTHOGA E55/CE /11417/07 A RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY MAY 2014 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for an award of any study programme in any university or any institution of higher learning. Signature ____________________________ Date __________________ Maingi Sammy Muthoga E55/CE/11417/07 We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision as university supervisors. This thesis has been submitted for review with our approval as the university supervisors. Signature Date Prof. Paul K. Wainaina Department of Educational Foundations Kenyatta University Signature__________________________ Date________________________ Dr. Daniel B. Nyanje Department of Educational Foundations Kenyatta University iii DEDICATION To my wife Margaret Muthoni for her consistent encouragement and assistance throughout my entire course. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving me the strength and courage to undertake this challenging study. My sincere gratitude also goes to my supervisors, Prof. Paul Wainaina and Dr. Daniel Nyanje, for their guidance and patience during the writing of this thesis. I would also wish to most sincerely thank all the persons, be they civil servants, education officers, police officers, teachers, church leaders and students who agreed to participate in this study. Mr. Antony D. Bojana deserves gratitude for editing the final work. Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the staff of Nelsah Cyber Cafe, Nyeri for their devotion in typing this thesis. To you all I say, God bless you. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... x ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Problem ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ......................................................................................... 6 1.3 Purpose and of the Study ......................................................................................... 6 1.4 Hypotheses ............................................................................................................... 7 1.5 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 7 1.6 Research Objectives ................................................................................................. 8 1.6.1 General Objective ................................................................................................. 8 1.6.2 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................... 8 1.7 Limitations of the Study........................................................................................... 8 1.8 Basic Assumptions ................................................................................................... 9 1.9 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 9 1.10 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................ 11 1.11 Definition of Terms.............................................................................................. 14 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................... 15 2.1 Sub-Cultures in General ......................................................................................... 15 2.2 Peer Group Influence on Adolescents Behaviour .................................................. 21 2.3 Sects in General ..................................................................................................... 23 2.3.1 Sects, Vigilantes and Gangs in Kenya ................................................................ 25 2.4 Mungiki Sect and Education .................................................................................. 26 2.5 FGM and Formal Education .................................................................................. 31 2.6 School Dropout ...................................................................................................... 34 vi 2.6.1 Marital Status and Parenthood ............................................................................ 35 2.6.2 School and Home Stability ................................................................................. 36 2.6.3 Reasons for Dropping Out of School .................................................................. 36 2.6.4 Substance Abuse ................................................................................................. 37 2.7 Gender and education: A historical perspective and trends ................................... 37 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................... 41 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 41 3.1 Design .................................................................................................................... 41 3.2 Location of the Study ............................................................................................. 42 3.3 Target Population ................................................................................................... 42 3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedures .......................................................................... 42 3.4.1 Sample ................................................................................................................. 42 3.4.1.1 Cluster Sampling .............................................................................................. 43 3.4.1.2 Purposive Sampling ......................................................................................... 43 3.5 Data Collection Instruments and Procedures ......................................................... 43 3.5.1 Questionnaires..................................................................................................... 43 3.5.2 Interview Guide .................................................................................................. 44 3.5.3 Document Analysis Guide .................................................................................. 44 3.5.4 Logistical and Ethical Considerations ................................................................ 44 3.6 Validity and Reliability of Instruments.................................................................. 45 3.6.1 Validity ............................................................................................................... 45 3.6.2 Reliability ............................................................................................................ 45 3.7 Data Collection Procedures.................................................................................... 46 3.8 Data Analysis and Interpretation .......................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION .. 47 4.1Response rate .......................................................................................................... 47 4.2 Demographic Information ...................................................................................... 47 4.3 Current status in Terms of School Attendance in Relation to Mungiki Prevalence ...................................................................................................................................... 51 4.4 Mungiki-Related Factors that Affect the Education Sector ................................... 53 4.5 Gender Disparities Vis-A-Vis Societal Expectations ............................................ 57 4.6 Mungiki Teachings and Their Implications on Education ..................................... 61 vii CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........ 68 5.1 Summary ................................................................................................................ 68 5.1.1 Assessment of the Current Status in Terms of Statistics with Regard to School Attendance in the County............................................................................................. 68 5.1.2 Mungiki Sect-Related Factors that Affect the