| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out to assess the impact of Christian ethics on the Kenyan society with special reference to the Isukha
of Kakamega District. There is a claim that the majority of Kenyans are Christians. Despite the above observation, there are problems
of the declining moral standards. Thus social evils are penetrating all aspects of the kenyan society. The study therefore seeks to find out why such as situation exists in the Kenyan society.
Social evils spoil the good image of Christianity in Kenya. They are contrary to the demands of Christian morals. This is because Christians are supposed to be people of good moral conduct. They are supposed to be characterized by virtues like love, humility and honesty.
In view of the above situation, the researcher studies the following. First the historical genesis of the Isukha culture before and after the coming of the Europeans. This is because it is by reflecting on the past that we can manage to understand the present moral situation. In this context, the historical evolution of the Isukha people, their economic, social,religious life, their traditional education and morals are analyzed. The changes based on the coming of the Europeans and the contributions of the missionaries in imparting Christian morals among the Isukha are also considered.
Second is an evaluation of the interpretation of Christian morals within the Isukha culture. This can help us to know the form of conduct or interaction that exists between the Christian morals and the Isukha
traditional moral thought forms. In order to realize this various aspects are studied in both the Isukha religion and Christianity.
Third, the researcher uses the Quaker Church as an illustration to show what is happening in other Christian Churches among the Isukha as far a morality is concerned. The researcher used this church because he developed close ties with this church when he was
a teacher in the Isukha region. Lirhanda is the regional headquarters of all the Quaker Churches in Shinyalu Division. The Quaker Church
is one of the dominant churches among the Isukha.
The location of this study was in Shinyalu Division of Kakamega District. Shinyalu Division is mainly occupied by the Isukha people. The Isukha community is one of the sub-groups of the Luyia ethnic society. Research was conducted in some of the sub-locations of Shinyalu Division. Field work involved the administration of the questionnaire and verbal interviews to the informants in the villages, in churches, in schools and in trading or market centres. The
informants consisted of village elders, pastors, teachers and students. The researcher also consulted church archives and other library
sources that were related to this study. These helped the author to
realise the objectives of this study.
Briefly, this study found out that the impact of Christian morals in the Isukha society is little. The author made this conclusion because this stu~~discovered the declining morals among the Isukha.
Various factors responsible for the poor moral standards were also
found out. First it is because of the influence of the European culture in the Isukha society. Secondly it is due to the contemporary forces of social change.
In connection with the above findings, the following recommendations are made: First the Isukha should use aspects of their traditional religious understanding that can help them to find remedy to modern ethical problems. Second the pastoral workers should be given enough training in order to have deep insight in Christianity and the Isukha traditional religion. Pastoral training should also take note of the moral problems related to the European culture, the Isukha culture and
the modern social change. This can help them to give adequate solutions to the moral problems. Third, the teaching of Christian Religious Education (C.R.E.) in the primary and secondary schools should be strengthened. This is because Christian Religious Education (C.R.E.) helps to create an awareness of Christian morals among the students. | en |
