TRANSFORMATION OF MAASAI- ABAGUSII CO-EXISTENCE DURING SECOND WORLD WAR AND THE DECOLONIZATION PERIOD (1939-1963)

Authors: Jackson Ondonga Maraga Ph.D. & Dr. George Odhiambo Okoth

ABSTRACT

Most Kenyan districts are plagued by real or potential ethnic conflicts, which is a well-documented historical truth and ongoing situation. This phenomenon can be attributed to the tendency of many communities to deliberately or inadvertently exploit ethnicity as a means to maintain their power and control in an environment marked by limited resources, fear, and bias. The prevalence of ethnic conflicts in this country is so extensive that there is scarcely any region where the issue has not emerged: Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Coast, Central, North Eastern, Eastern, and even Nairobi. It is crucial to thoroughly examine the historical framework of inter-community interactions when addressing ethnic and boundary conflicts in the present time. This aspect should not be underestimated in this particular situation. This research presents historical empirical facts that can be utilized to effectively control future conflicts between the Maasai and the Abagusi communities in Kenya. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the relationship between the Maasai and Abagusii communities throughout the Second World War and the period of decolonization from 1939 to 1963. The objective of this study was to gather relevant information regarding the consequences of previous and possible ethnic conflicts on peace and sustainable development, as well as to identify strategies for both mitigating and managing such conflicts. The findings from this study have the potential to significantly enhance other research efforts on conflicts in Kenya, Africa, and beyond. The data was acquired from oral interviews, archival sources, and papers about inter-ethnic violence, as well as boundary and resource conflicts in Kenya.

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