The establishment of the Bungoma County Council and its Impact on development, 1963 to 1978

Abstract

The article details the initiation of the Bungoma County Council (BCC) and its impact on development, 1963-1978. Local governments in Kenya are important propellants of development at the grassroots. The County Council of Bungoma was initiated in 1963 replacing the defunct African District Council of Elgon Nyanza. Specific objectives were; to examine the successes of the BCC, in social, economic and political developments, and to analyse the challenges that faced BCC. Primary and secondary data was utilized. However, it was found out that, in early years of Kenya’s independence, BCC contributed in the social and economic development of Bungoma. Besides, the council faced a number of challenges during the Kenyatta era which led to a decline in terms of service delivery. By 1978, BCC had lost its relevance. Consequently, the study contributes to the historiography of local government in Kenya.