MST-Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies

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Browsing MST-Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies by Subject "1963-2013"

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    History of Embakasi Ranching Company in Nairobi City County, Kenya, 1963-2013
    (Kenyatta University, 2020-09) Kibanya, Elizabeth Gathigia
    Land buying companies were investment opportunities that enabled people to purchase plots of land and construct homes in Kenya. This study analysed the history of land buying companies in Kenya with reference to Embakasi Ranching Company. The Company is located in Nairobi City County in Njiru sub-county. The objectives of the study were to; examine the factors behind the formation of land buying companies from 1963 to 1978, analyze how the expansion of Nairobi led to development of Embakasi Ranching Company from 1979 to 2002 and investigate the challenges faced by the Embakasi Ranching Company from 2003 to 2013. This study was informed by Neopatrimonialism theory. Both primary and secondary sources were used. The primary sources contained first-hand information. The primary data was collected from the Kenya National Archives and Embakasi Ranching Company’s unpublished sources. More primary data was collected from the company directors, the shareholders and National Government officials in Njiru Sub-county. The informants living outside Nairobi were also traced and interviewed. Purposive sampling method was applied to identify and select informants. Interview schedules were used to carry out oral interviews. Secondary sources contained information originally presented in another source. The secondary data was obtained from published books, journals, magazines, newspapers and electronic media. The data collected was analysed and presented in descriptive form. The findings of this study revealed that, Kenya’s post independence government policies on land led to the formation of land buying companies in Kenya. It was further revealed that, the expansion of Nairobi and population migration trends led to formation of Embakasi Ranching Company. The company aimed at giving land to the landless widows of Mau Mau veterans, the Mau Mau veterans, Nyakinyua women group from Eastland estates of Nairobi City County, landless public servants and other landless poor in Nairobi. Although the company was able to accelerate socio-economic development, it experienced several drawbacks. However, most of the challenges emanated from lack of integrity. One of the major findings of the study was that, Embakasi Ranching Company was formed by political leaders not just to enable the poor access land in Nairobi but also to enable these leaders accomplish their political goals and accumulate wealth which was a feature of Neopatrimonialism paradigm