THESE TITLE: The Rise and Fall of Majimbo In Kenya: A Case Study of Bungoma County, 1962-2017
STUDENT NAME: CATHERINE BARASA
SUPERVISORS:
1. Dr. Yokana Ogola
2. Dr. Obino, P. Ong’anyi
ABSTRACT:
This study sought to investigate the rise and fall of Majimboism in Kenya, with particular reference to Bungoma County, 1962-2017. The year 1962 was chosen because it was when Kenyans initiated the call for Majimboism led by KADU chaired by Ronald Ngala. The ending point is 2017 because that is the period when the people of Bungoma had fully experienced the new constitution that was promulgated in 2010. Bungoma is the geographical scope because it is one of the devolved counties in Kenya populated with various ethnic groups. Concept of Majimboism was misused and there was need to carry out an historical research on the rise and demise Majimboism to ascertain its development challenges and impact among the people of Kenya. Scholars have written a lot on this subject of Majimboism but little seems to be done on its rise and fall of and the resultant impact on the local community. Most of the studies done by various scholars such as Kariuki and Karani have dealt with decentralization in rural areas and Federalist debate in Africa. Therefore there is insufficient research on the history of Majimboism in Kenya hence, Prompted the study to shed light on Rise and Fall of Majimboism in Kenya Bungoma County, 1962-2017. The main objectives were therefore: to investigate the origins, developments of Majimboism and resultant impact of devolution on the communities of Bungoma and its challenges. The sequential theory of devolution was used to inform the study. The theory views devolution as a process of gradual re-shaping of the structure of governance. A descriptive survey design was used to gather and analyze data. The target population consisted of persons from Bungoma County who consisted of ;Retired Members of Parliament 2, District commissioner 5, District officer 10, Assistant chiefs 30, Chiefs 50, Members of County Assembly 5, County Commissioner 2, Deputy County Commissioner 15,Women groups10, Youth groups. The sample size was 150 which were derived from 10% to 30%. The study employed purposive and snowballing sampling technique. Data was collected by use of Questionnaires, Interview schedule, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), participant observation, archival and documentary sources. Data was analyzed through content analysis and Verbatim from the field was transcribed coded and arranged thematically based on objectives. Majimboism originated from the KADU philosophy of Federalism meaning in Kiswahili regionalism. Majimboism was among the issues that were discussed in the Lancaster conference. Majimbo was banned in 1966later on it emerged in 1992 and 2008 as a political tool. In 2010 the new constitution was promulgated. The study found out that a highly centralized administrative structure satisfies local initiatives, encourages misappropriation of revenues from local populations, and promotes inefficiency in the utilization of resources and ineffectiveness in service delivery. Consequently it required high caliber personnel to assess local development needs, carry out project planning and implementing local development programs effectively, efficiently and economically. There was evidence to show that the human resource capacity at Bungoma County was still low. This research has shown that Bungoma County is yet to overcome parochialism and nepotism in the recruitment of their personnel. In many instances it sought to recruit through tribalism hence curtailing the chances of attracting the performers. These shortcomings must be addressed to ensure the success of devolved units; development programs and consolidates the process of devolution. It was envisaged that the outcomes of the study would be of immense value to policy makers, scholars, other researchers, the community of Bungoma and the general public.
