Ongabi, Josephine N.2025-02-182025-02-182024-10https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29611A Thesis Submitted to the School of Law Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts Degree in History of Kenyatta University October, 2024 Supervisors: 1. Felix Kiruthu 2. Pius KakaiArtisanal and small-scale mining is a significant sector in many developing countries, including Kenya. It involves mining activities conducted by individuals or small groups with minimal mechanization, often operating informally. Artisanal and small scale mining plays a crucial role in providing livelihoods, particularly in rural areas where formal employment opportunities are scarce. However, this study specifically investigated the history of the soapstone industry and its effects on the communities in Kisii County, Kenya, from 1963 to 2002. Although the soapstone industry has existed in Tabaka since the pre-colonial era, it has attracted little historical research. It is against this background that this study was undertaken. Three objectives guided the research: To examine the factors that led to the emergence of the soapstone industry in Tabaka up to 1963, investigate how soapstone production was carried out at Tabaka in Kisii County from 1964 to 1978 and examine how the soapstone industry in Tabaka, affected the life of the community in Kisii County from 1979 to 2002. The study used the articulation of modes of production theory to analyze the data. Primary data was collected by conducting oral interviews with knowledgeable individuals in the soapstone industry and by examining archival documents sourced from the Kenya National Archives on the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, specifically focusing on the Tabaka Soapstone industry. Secondary data was sourced from books, articles, and journals in the libraries and online sources. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population included: soapstone workers, land owners with quarries, and industry leaders. The study purposively selected respondents. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire, an interview schedule, and an observation method. The researcher analyzed the data using the content analysis method. The researcher found that several factors led to the emergence of the soapstone industry in Tabaka up to 1963; among them include the availability of soft stones in the area, the skill of using these soft stones to mold items, the available jobs to keep people committed and utilize the available resource to satisfy the basic needs. It was discovered that soapstone producers used both traditional and modern technology to produce items from 1964 to 1978. Soapstone has led to the emergence of rich businessmen in the Tabaka market who have built shops, others have been able to take their children to school, and it led to the establishment of cooperative and self help groups to benefit the community from 1979 to 2002. The study contributes to the bourgeoning body of knowledge on artisanal soapstone miningenThesis