Ethnic indigene and nation building in Kenya: a critical survey of the 1962-1963 Kalenjin-Luhya boundary clashes in Aldai and its implications for the 'new nation'
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Lubanda, Eliud N.
Omanga, Duncan M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Moi University
Abstract
The advent of colonialism and the attendant activities of formal government authority over the
African peoples and drawing of boundaries brought a new dimension of relationship between the
communities resident in Aldai. Whereas the Kalenjin speaking peoples regarded themselves as the
'owners' of the area currently known as Aldai, the colonial government lumped them together with
the Luhya and Luo speaking peoples under one Central Kavirondo and subsequently North Nyanza
Province. Treasured cultural practices like female circumcision and cattle raiding were banned.
Traditional enmities between the tribes were re-awakened, and a state of perpetual tension ensued
between the communities living side by side in this period. This is reflected in the reports of the
colonial administration during the drawing of the borders.There were problems between the
neighboring Nandi and Tiriki of Serem. The Tiriki were forbidden from working in Nandi land
(KNA 1956 DC/KBT/82 LND 16/1/1 Document No. 39)
This paper discusses the arbitrary boundary making activities of the colonial government in this
largely un-researched Aldai area in Western Kenya. How the boundary drawing project was the
laying ground for some of the insidious ethnic differences between the neighboring communities.
And finally, reflect on the challenge of nation building vis-a-vis ethnic identity in the light of
troubled emerging ethnic relations in the Kenya.
Description
A paper presented at the 3rd annual international conference on knowledge management through research and innovative technologies for sustainable socio-economic development, 31st July - 4th August 2007, Moi University