Inter-Ethnic relations between the Nandi and her neighbours, Kenya, 1884 – 2003

Abstract

The study analysed the factors determining inter-ethnic relations between Nandi and her neighbours, Kenya, from 1884 to 2003. The main thrust of the study was to unravel the key factors that have defined the inter-ethnic relations between Nandi and her neighbours and investigate the cause of intermittent border conflicts. Five objectives guided the study, namely, to analyse the pre-colonial inter-ethnic relations between Nandi and her neighbours, 1884-1895; to examine the effects of colonial rule and the reconstruction of Nandi inter-ethnic relations, 1895-1918; to establish the consequences of colonial policies on Nandi inter-ethnic relations, 1919-1939; to investigate the implications of the Second World War and decolonisation on Nandi inter-ethnic relations, 1939-1963, and to assess the Nandi post-colonial inter-ethnic relations, 19632003. The study utilised the Conflict paradigm to describe factors determining ethnic relations and the cause of intermittent border conflicts between Nandi and her neighbours. It adopted the Conflict and Agency theories. The researcher utilised a qualitative approach and a historical research design to link phases of the study. Both primary and secondary sources informed the research. Primary sources involved the use of vast archival materials and oral interviews to provide native views and official colonial and post-colonial government socio-economic positions. Secondary sources were utilised to contextualize respective milestones, identify gaps, and trace the historical relations between Nandi and her neighbours, thus laying down the foundation for the significance of the study. The target population comprised seventy informed Nandi, Luyia and Luo residents drawn from the study area. Purposive and snowballing sampling methods were used to identify and interview seventy informed respondents. The research instrument employed to collect oral data was an open-ended interview schedule. The data was analysed using a qualitative comparative-historical method. It was compiled thematically and documented chronologically using direct quotations and descriptive texts. Seeking permits and authorisations was done before data collection. The study found that the centre of inter-ethnic relations pivoted around cattle raiding, not limited to cows but also women and children, barter trade, and intermarriages during pre-colonial times. The colonial establishment in Nandi greatly obstructed their labour from native economic activities. Land alienation, taxation, forced labour, forced migrations, and the assassination of Koitaleel Samoei had a long-term effect on their inter-ethnic relations. The burning of homes and grain stores destroyed food reserves, causing them to expand their adventure in cattle raiding among the Luo and Luyia. The study further established that the Nandi refused to adopt Western education following a forceful eviction from their Lands in the Nandi South. Pressure from confinement in a reserve was projected to neighbour communities, while others emigrated elsewhere in Uganda and Tanzania. The study concluded that the colonial origin of Kenya and the confinement of the Nandi into a restricted Reserve progressively influenced their postindependence ethnic relations with their neighbours; the concerns that were informed by ethnicity, ethnic animosity, land disputes, economic and political inequality, electoral violence, the creation of arbitrary borders and inept leadership. The study recommends creating an inter-county conflict resolution committee to resolve persistent conflicts, restoring mutual trust and sensitising communities to adopt national integration and cohesion policy as a pillar for inter-ethnic relations. Finally, the study suggests further research to determine to which extent education and religion have influenced the inter-ethnic relations between Nandi and her neighbours.