| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the activities of rural militias and their impact to the society. The study concentrated on Mungiki in Kigumo District. The research begins with a historical analysis of militia groups in Kenya, narrowing down to Mungiki. This history provides a background to the understanding of the factors that led to the emergence and development of Mungiki. The study employed both primary and secondary data. Secondary data was obtained from books, articles in journals and internet sources.
The gaps found in secondary data were hoped to be filled by archival data from Kenya National Archives. Gaps noted from archival material were filled through oral interviews which were conducted by use of un- structured questionnaire. Data was captured by use of note taking, analysed qualitatively and presented through narratives and discussions. Most of the existing studies on militia activities have focused on militia groups' operations in urban centres, especially in Nairobi. In urban areas, Mungiki operations are based on urban lifestyle.
On the other hand, Mungiki activities in rural areas are based on rural environment. Therefore, this study aimed at understanding rural militia activities in Kenya in general and Kigumo District in particular. The study examined the activities of Mungiki and their impact on Kigumo District residents from1987 to 2008. With the guidance of Gani Yoroms' Fluid Theory of Militias which argues that militias emerge as a result of social and economic problems within a state, this study argued that the emergence and development of Mungiki was as a result of unattended socio-economic problems that faced the youth. Membership to the Mungiki group was therefore a means of making a living and socialising.
This study also noted that the nature of Mungiki in Kigumo was guided by the social and economic activities in the area. The activities of Mungiki had profound social, political and economic impact on Kigumo residents. There have been deaths of innocent people murdered by the Mungiki adherents. At-the same time, Mungiki members have been shot dead by the police. This has led to loss of human resources in the society thus diminishing the economic potential of the area. The fear of Mungiki has disintegrated family ties, disrupted economic activities and day to day running of some educational institutions. Mungiki activities have also destabilised the normal working of the provincial administration. On the flipside, there are some individuals who have made wealth out of the Mungiki activities in Kigumo. | en_US |
