Change in Early Marriages among the East Pokot of Baringo County, Kenya, 1930–2014
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study focused on change in early marriages among the members of East Pokot community living in Tiaty area of Baringo County in the period 1930-2014. The research analysed the socio-economic and political significance of early marriages among the Pokot people of Tiaty up to 1930. The study interrogated missionary concern with social activities among the Pokot with the aim of curbing early marriages and community improvement 1930-1975. Finally, the study interpreted the changing relationship between the East Pokot of Baringo County and the state of early marriages in post-independence period 1975-2014. In order to understand the current area of study well, relevant literature was reviewed in line with the main objectives of the study. The study was guided by the theories of social change and social conservatism as tools of analysis. Descriptive research design was employed and both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used but the study relied more on qualitative approach. The locality of the study was restricted to Tiaty Sub County. Sixty participants drawn from all the seven wards of Tiaty were targeted. Purposive and snow balling sampling techniques were used to collect data. Research data was collected using one on one interview and focus group discussions. In order to establish validity and reliability of data collected, a pilot study was carried out in Chemoling’ot Township using 20 participants. Content validity was determined by the accuracy in which research instruments measured the objectives of the current topic of study. Internal reliability was adopted in order to establish the ability of research instruments to produce consistent results when adopted more than once during data collection. Data collected was analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis in line with the objectives of this research. Throughout the period the study maintained high moral standards and integrity and the researcher sought the consent of all participants in the study. The findings of this study show that early marriages had both social and economic significance among the East Pokot people. In addition, the findings reveal that missionaries did a lot to curb early marriages and to improve the welfare of the people of Tiaty. The missionaries introduced Christianity, western education, western medicine and provided relief food. Further, the findings show that a lot of effort has been made to end early marriages in post-colonial Kenya. This study reveals that legislation, religion, education, media and cultural interaction are key reasons behind the decline in rates of early marriages among the East Pokot people of Tiaty. These findings are useful to the leadership of Baringo County and policy makers in Kenya
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts & Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (History) of Kenyatta University, November, 2025
Supervisors;
1.Enock Akattu
2.Kennedy Gitu