POLITICS OF CLANNISM AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MBEERE NORTH SUB-COUNTY, EMBU COUNTY- KENYA

Abstract

This study examines how the politics of clannism affects socio-economic development in Mbeere North Sub-County and how the phenomenon has impacted on the lives of the residents. The study qualitatively focuses on the two politics of clannism of the major clans of Mururi (Thagana) and Ndamata (Irumbi) and how they have impacted the socio-economic development of the region. The researcher employed purposive sampling to pick 25 participants with 15 focused group members (M- 26 F- 14) participated in this study. The objective of this study was to understand the nexus between clannism and socio-economic development in Mbeere North Sub-County by answering questions about how clannism influences resource allocation decisions, the distribution of socio- economic resources and impact on the region’s socio-economic development. This qualitative study used interviews and focused group discussions(FGDs) for data collection. Descriptive and exploratory research designs were used respectively. The study employed three theories, social capital theory, neo-patrimonialism and development theory, and political economy theory. The researcher found out that clannism in Mbeere North Sub-County had significant influence on resource allocation decisions, affected the distribution of socio-economic resources, and impacted economic development in the region. The limitations included the vast geographical area to be covered, financial constraints and the sensitivity of clannism and politics in the region. The researcher presented recommendations to various stakeholders that can be used to solve the problem under study. The implications of the findings of this study will impact significantly on future researchers, policy makers, community leader and groups, law enforcers and the people of Mbeere North Sub-County. The researcher suggests need for more research to establish the prevalence of the problem under study in other regions in Kenya.