The Socio-Economic and Political Transformational roles of colonial chiefs among the Southern Nyanza Luo of Homa Bay County, Kenya (1890-1963)

Abstract

This study was on ―The Socio-Economic and Political Transformational Roles of Colonial Chiefs among the Southern Nyanza Luo of Homa Bay County, Kenya (1890-1963)‖, was premised on the fact that the institution of the chief in the governance structure in Kenya brought peace, security, tranquillity and harmony among the communities living in the colonial and even post-colonial Kenya. They were not only the engines driving socio-economic transformations but also the enablers of the same. Their roles in communal development such as agriculture, education, labour organization and road infrastructure cannot be ignored. Homa Bay County is a vast area. Therefore, the study mainly highlighted the Socio-Economic transformational roles of chiefs in Gwasi, Kanyamua, Kanyada, Karachuonyo, Kochia, Gem and Kasipul- Kabondo in the present day Homa Bay County. Some notable colonial chiefs in today‘s Homa Bay County, were: Gor Ogalo of Kanyamua, Paul Mboya of Karachuonyo, Kasuku Matunga of Gwassi and Gideon Magak of Kasipul-Kabondo. The objectives of the study were to: Analyse the nature and role of leadership and governance in Homa Bay County in pre-colonial period; Examine colonial conguest and search for chiefs in Homa Bay County; Explain the role of chiefs in economic transformations in Homa Bay County; Assess the role of chiefs in the introduction and development of western education in Homa Bay County; Evaluate the role of chiefs in the development of Local Native Councils and the rise of Nationalism in Homa Bay County. The study was anchored on the Bureaucratic Theory of Marx Weber which advocates for clear hierarchical command structure in an organization, which is also pyramidal in character. It utilized also the Marxist dependency theory for an indepth understanding of the colonial economy in which chiefs were involved through the collection of taxes. Taxation and appropriation of natural resources happened and benefited the metropole at the expense of the Africans. The research methodology was qualitative research and data was collected using interview schedule through purposive sampling.The findings of the research would help the state to reform the institution of the chief regarding the ever changing administrative framework for people at the grassroots. The role of chiefs as per the findings of this study was key in socio- economic transformations in Homa Bay County during the colonial period. Chiefs directed virtually the social, economic and political affairs in the communities. For example, the prime movers of the socio-economic activities in today‘s Homa Bay County, whose economy largely relied on livestock, agriculture, fishing, pottery and weaving were the chiefs. With the establishment of Local Native Councils and later on the African District Councils, chiefs became the fulcrum around which these institutions of governance revolved. The study confirmed that the African chiefs in Homa Bay County played significant roles in socio-economic transformations of Homa Bay County during the colonial period. Indeed, Socio-economic transformations during colonial period portrayed chiefs as very important cogs in the wheel of development. Public administration in Homa bay relied on chiefs as the corner stone in service delivery. The introduction of the office of chief fulfilled the doctrine of indirect rule whose architect was Fredrick Lugard; a one time governor in Northern Nigeria and Uganda protectorate. Although the chiefs played key role in socio-economic development in Homa Bay County, there were some chiefs whose performances did not meet the expectations of both the people and the colonial administration.The vastness of the County did not in any way curtail the progress of this research.