1

DIPLOMA
IN PRIMARY TEACHER
EDUCATION

SOCIAL STUDIES

By: JULIUS O. ATIENO

@Copyright 2021

All rights reserved:

No part of this document may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means;
mechanical or electronic, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or
retrieval system without prior written permission from the author.

STRAND 1.
NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTS
1.1 Nature and scope of social studies

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Essence statement
Social studies is the study of people in relation to each other and to the world in which they live.

The subject is interdisciplinary in nature and draws its content upon economics, geography, law,
politics and other subjects in social science and humanities. It enables the teacher trainee to
investigate various ideas, concepts and issues using an inter-disciplinary approach that gives him
or her integrated learning experience.

This leads to a deeper understanding of the interconnection between social, political, economic
and environmental issues and ideas.

As a study of human beings in their physical and social environments, how they control it, their
adaptations to it and how their activities affect the environment.
It helps the trainee to understand and appreciate human culture and civilization, develop identity,
empathy and analytical skills needed to participate intelligently and responsively in society.
Additionally, the teacher trainee is set to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values
necessary to become an active democratic citizen at the local, national and global community.

The curriculum design seeks to ignite the trainee’s curiosity to curiosity into real world issues
through inquiry and authentic learning experiences. It is also hoped that the teacher trainee will
be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills and techniques to teach the primary education
social studies effectively.

The content is also intended to build on the knowledge already acquired and at the same time
prepare the trainee for career progression.

Rationale for Studying Social Studies in Primary Education

1. Develop competence in methodology, techniques and strategies of teaching social

studies at primary school level.
2. Recognize the relationship between people and the production systems, consumption
and conservation of national resources.
3. Demonstrate the use of map reading skills to interpret information.
4. Acquire knowledge and show appreciation for all historical backgrounds of
communities and analyze population issues which affects the quality of life of the
people of Kenya.
5. Develop capacity to make informed decisions for the public good as citizens of
culturally diverse democratic society in an independent world.
6. Explain the historical developments that have taken place in Kenya and other African
countries.
7. Develop a deep sense of shared destiny and national identity and promote patriotism.
8. Acquire knowledge on the structure of government of Kenya and demonstrate
willingness participate in its operations.
9. Develop altitudes of care and management of the environment for sustainable
development.

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10. Acquire thinking and process skills which are essential for life long and independent
learning.
11. Appreciate the importance of studying social studies at the primary education level.
12. Identify and manage contemporary issues in society.

Historical Development of social studies in Kenya

In the 1960s, some African nations made efforts to update the curriculum. By then, Geography,
History and Civics were taught as separate subjects.

The African Education Programmed (AEP) and the Centre for Curriculum an Education
Development Overseas (CREDO) spearheaded these efforts. In 1967, an international conference
on social science was held in Oxford – Great Britain. It recommended the formation of the
African Social Studies Program (ASSP).

In 1968, a follow-up meeting was held in Mombasa-Kenya with representatives from Africa,
USA and Great Britain attending. The African Social Studies Program (ASSP) was launched.

This became the focal point in the development of the new curriculum for social studies. After
this, the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) embarked on the preparation of the social studies
material for lower primary classes on a pilot basis. The program was introduced at std 1 in 24
primary schools in Kenya and teachers in-serviced between 1970 and1973. However, the
program was abandoned in 1974 due to:

a) Insufficient manpower at KIE.

b) Lack of policy from the ministry of Education.
c) Improper deployment of teachers who had undergone training and orientation
courses.
d) Lack of funds to facilitate adequate supervision of the pilot schools.
e) Lack of policy decision to introduce the program in Primary Teacher Training
Colleges.
f) Considerable opposition from subject’s specialists.

However in 1978, a Primary Education Project (PEP) team was tasked to prepare a social studies
syllabus for lower primary.

In 1981, social studies workshops were organized at the Kenya Institute of Education to draft a
teacher’s guide for lower primary classes and the training of social studies course material in 49
primary schools was started. By November 1985, the KIE had developed a social studies
curriculum for primary schools from Std 1-8 as well as Primary Teacher Training Colleges.
a) A policy decision was passed to the effect that:
b) Teaching of social studies would be implemented in all primary schools in Kenya
from Std 1-8 with effect from January 1986
c) the teaching of social studies would be implemented in all teachers training colleges
with effect from May 1986
d) The subject would be Geography, History and Civics (GHC) combined course.

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Later in 2001, the Kenya institute of Education revised the Primary Teacher Education
curriculum with a view to harmonizing with the primary school curriculum. The course was
renamed social studies.

Importance of the Integrated Approach in the Learning social studies

a) It makes it possible for teacher to deal with historical, social and economic aspects of
a concept at the same time.
b) Learners are exposed to the immediate environment thereby making learning
systematic from known to unknown.
c) It lays emphasis on the development of concepts, facts, values and positive attitudes.
d) The integrated approach makes intensive use of the local environment and resources.

TASK 1: In your various groups critique the social studies C/design essence statement.

1.2 Map Reading and interpretation

Definition of a map:

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A map is a representation of the earth or part of the earth as seen from above on a piece of paper
globe or any flat surface.

Due to the vastness of the earth’s size, maps are usually reduced using scales to fit the surfaces
on which they are drawn.

A scale therefore is the relationship between distances on the map and the actual distances on the
earth/ground.

Types of maps

a) There are four main types of maps, namely:

b) Sketch maps
c) Wall maps
d) Atlas maps
e) Topographical maps

Task:
i. Using various digital devices, download and brainstorm on the various types of maps
that trainees may use to study physical features and human activities in the
environment.
ii. Draw a sketch map of the college and its immediate neighbourhood.

There are three main types of scales, namely:

i. Statement scale i.e. 1cm represents 1kilometre

ii. Linear scale – is made up of horizontal lines divided geometrically into a number of
equal parts of 1cm each. For example, in the scale shown below, 1cm represents 1km.

Draw an illustration of Linear Scale here

1cm represents 1km

iii. Representative fraction or Ratio scale: is expressed in the form of fraction or ratio.
When expressed as a fraction, the numerator stands for the distance on the map
whereas the denominator stands for the distance on the ground. The numerator is
always 1 whereas denominator varies from one map to the other e.g.1/100,000 means
1cm on the map represents 1km on the ground.

Tasks:
Learners to:
i. Write down examples of statement scales.
ii. Draw a linear scale.

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iii. Convert/interpret the ratio scale as a statement scale.

Generally, maps show varied information including:

a) Climate
b) Political/administrative boundaries
c) Physical features
d) Population data
e) Economic activities
f) Social activities

Most maps have marginal information which enable the users to get essential knowledge about
them.
These include:
a) Map series
b) Sheet name and title
c) Sheet index number
d) Grid system
e) Latitudes and Longitudes
f) Compass direction
g) Magnetic variation
h) Scales
i) Key
j) Edition
k) Publisher and copyrights

Measuring Distances on Maps

Distance is the space between two points or places.
There are two types of distances usually formed on maps namely:

a) Regular or straight lines

b) Irregular/winding/curved lines.

For straight lines use -a strip of paper

-pair of dividers
-a ruler
And measure the space between two points and put on the linear scale,
Record in kilometers or may be directed otherwise, for example in miles.

Draw an illustration of a curved/winding line and demonstrate how

it is measured

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For winding or curved lines, use:

-Piece string and pair of dividers
-Edge of paper

And then place on the linear scale in kilometers/miles.

Calculating Area
For regular shapes such as squares, rectangles or triangles, the formulae are as follows:

Draw regular shapes of a square, rectangle and triangle and label

the sides and demonstrate the formulae of calculating their
respective areas.

For irregular shapes especially found on topographical maps such as municipalities, part of a
forest or swamp;
 Count all the complete/full grid squares in the area and record.
 Count all the incomplete squares in the area and divide by two (2).
 Add the total of the full/complete to that of the incomplete squares and give your
answer in square kilometers as follows:

Draw an illustration of an area of irregular object complete with grid squares

and demonstrate how to calculate/estimate the area.

Locating places on maps.

i) By use of compass direction

Can be used with both the cardinal points and others i.e. N, S, E, W (North, South, East, and
West) as demonstrated below;

Draw an illustration of the eight basic compass points directions- North,

South, East, West, North East, North West, South, South East, South West,

ii) By use of bearing

This is the direction of one place from the other place in degrees.
Procedure;
 Join the two points using a straight line after naming them e.g. A-B
 Go to the place referred to as “from” and draw the compass direction with North line.
 Measure the angle from the North line clockwise between the North line and the line
joining the two points

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 Record your readings from the protractor in degrees in 3-figures i.e. 045°, 100°, 325°
as follows:

Draw an illustration of how to calculate bearing as explained above

The Grid Reference System

Apart from using compass direction and angular bearing, places can also be located on maps
through the use of grid reference.
Grid lines are both vertical and horizontal lines drawn on the face of the map whose values
increase from the south-western corner of the map-usually referred to as the Grid origin, either
Eastwards or Northwards.
The vertical lines whose values increase towards the east are called Eastings since their values
increase towards the east i.e.51, 52, 53, 54, 55… the horizontal lines whose values increase
towards the north are called Northings. i.e. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45…

Draw an illustration to show grid squares and the grid origin using the values
as indicated above

To locate the position of a place on a map by the use of Grid reference, the value of Eastings are
given first, followed by that of Northings.

i) Four (4) - Figure Grid reference

Give the value of Eastings, followed by that of Northings i.e. Z=5543

From the figure on the previous page

ii) Six (6) - Figure Grid Reference

This further describes the exact location of a place within the grid square East or North by
including the 3rd and 6th Easting and Northing values respectively as follows:

W=519435 from the figure on the previous page.

Other methods of locating places on maps include:

 Use of landmarks e.g. rivers, hills, mountains or roads.
 Use of heavenly bodies e.g. North Star (pole star).
 Use of county, area or place names.
 Conventional signs, symbols, bearing and distance from one place to another or one
point e.g. ‘I live 50km North of Eldoret’

Map conventions/symbols in relation to map Representation

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A convention is an acceptable or common way of showing something. Maps have accepted

systems of showing features on earth which they represent.
Maps too, have symbols that are used to stand for the features indicated on them. These signs on
maps are accepted worldwide by cartographers. Some of the symbols as contained in the key are
shown below:

Get to a topographic map and extract and draw the symbols in this
space

Apart from symbols, maps also have abbreviations for various features contained in them. They
are also shown on the key e.g.

Interpreting the Landscape features

Relief refers to the general appearance of the land surface. It is represented by one or more of the
following methods:

i) Pictorial representation
A drawing of the features in question is made on the map. By looking at the picture or drawing,
one is able to determine what is drawn.

Draw an illustration of pictorial representation.

ii) Hachures
These are series of lines drawn to indicate slopes. The length and thickness shows the length and
steepness of the slope.
Draw an illustration of Hachures.

iii) Hill shading

Shows relief by shading the areas which would be cast in a shadow if light was shone from a
given direction.

Draw an illustration of Hill shading.

iv) Layer tinting or layer colouring

This method applies different colours to show various aspects of relief.
Draw an illustration of Layer colouring.

v) Cliff and Rock drawing

Areas with cliffs and rock faces are shown on maps by the use of wedge shaped black lines
whose thin ends point down slope as follows:
Draw an illustration of Cliff and rock drawing.

vi) Spot heights

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These are shown as dots with their heights written besides them. The dots indicate the exact
height of a particular point on a map.
Draw an illustration of Spot heights
vii) Trigonometric stations
These are survey points on maps represented by normal or inverted triangles or a circle with a
dot at the centre i.e.

Draw illustrations of the primary pillar, secondary pillar and other.

viii) Contours
These are imaginary lines joining all places with the same heights above sea level.

Draw illustrations of Contours indicating successive values with a

vertical interval of 20.

The distance between one contour and the other in most topographical maps is 20m. This is also
called the Vertical Interval (V.I) as indicated on the key. Where the contours are closer from one
another, the slope is steep whereas where they are far apart, the relief is gently undulating e.g.

Illustrate a steep and gently undulating slopes using contours on this space

Physical features represented on topographical maps

These include
i) Slopes
ii) Plains and plateaus
iii) Escarpments
iv) Spurs
v) Valleys
vi) Hills
vii) Ridges
viii) Passes

Slopes

Use diagrams to illustrate different types of slopes

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How to describe drainage on topographical maps.

Drainage refers to all water features found on the earth surface and include: rivers, lakes, oceans,
seas, swamps, springs, boreholes, canals etc.

In order to describe drainage on a topographical map;

 Mention all water bodies and sources e.g. oceans, lakes, and rivers.
 State whether the rivers are permanent, seasonal, disappearing.
 Identify the main river.
 Give the direction of flow of the main rivers or rivers.
 Identify the main drainage pattern/patterns e.g. dendritic, radial, centripetal, trellis,
parallel.
 State whether the area has any manmade features e.g. lakes ponds boreholes.
 State the stage of most rivers e.g. youthful, middle, old by giving evidence such as
waterfalls, rapids, meanders.
 Check if there are any swamps, deltas, estuaries.

In this space, draw illustrations of the following drainage patterns;

 Dendritic
 Trellised
 Centripetal
 Radial
 Parallel
 Annualar

How to describe Relief on a map.

 Describe the highest part of the land on the map and give the height in metres.
 Mention the highest hill, mountain and the grid square or part of the map using
compass direction.
 Mention the general direction of the slope using columns.
 Describe the dissected land whether by rivers and give their names.
 Mention if the land in any part of the map is flat, plain or gently undulating.
 Mention/describe valleys, depressions and gorges.

Drawing of sketch/cross section using a scale a map

Procedure:
 Identify the area to be covered by the sketch map.
 Measure the length and breadth of the area using a ruler.
 Transfer the measurement on a graph paper and draw a frame of equal size.

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 State the scale shown on the map.

 Mark and name all the features of interest.

Draw an illustration showing the range of contours from the top of the hill

 Join two points across the feature using a straight line.

 Using a strip of paper with a straight edge, mark the points where the contours
intercept the paper strip and record the corresponding heights in meters.
 Draw a frame with a vertical and horizontal line.
 Determine the vertical scale based on the vertical interval e.g. 1cm rep 20m, or 1cm
rep 50m, 1cm rep 100m.
 Place the marked strip of paper on the horizontal line and mark the corresponding
points against the vertical scale.
 Join the graph using a continuous line.

Draw the final sketch section of the hill between points A and B as illustrated
above

Sketch section of the hill between points A and B.

Vertical Exaggeration (VE)

This is the relationship of the horizontal scale to the vertical scale used in the cross-section. It is
usually calculated after the cross-section has been drawn.

Procedure:
 Convert the vertical scale into ratio scale e.g. 1cm represents 100 meters i.e.1:10000
(1cm represents100meters) = 100x100=10,000cm.
 Read the horizontal scale of the map as a ratio e.g. 1:50,000
 Divide the vertical scale by the horizontal scale i.e.

1/10000/1/50000

=1/10000x50000/1
=5
V.E=x5

Description of settlement on maps

Settlements are represented by dots on maps. There are three types of settlements namely:
i) Nucleated where there are high concentration of people such as in schools, market and trading
centers or tea estates /labour lines.

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Draw illustrations of nucleated settlements

ii) Linear settlement along roads or railway lines

Draw an illustration of linear settlement

iii) Scattered settlements common in forested areas, arid and semi-arid.

Draw illustrations of scattered settlements

Citing evidence from the map and various activities

Use the key on the map extract to identify:

Social Services:

Service Evidence
Recreational/Entertainment Sports Club/Golf Course/Social Centre
Religious Church/Mosque
Medical/health Hospital
Provision of Water/Sanitation Water Tank/Tower
Security Police Station, Chief’s Office
Burial Service Cemetery/Crematorium
Education School

Economic Activities:
Activity Evidence
Cattle Keeping Cattle pens,dips,troughs, ranches, veterinary
department
Quarrying Quarries
Mining Mineral Extraction Area
Processing/Manufacturing Factories/Industries
Transportation Roads, Tracks, Railway line
Tourism National parks/Game Reserve/Tourist Hotels
Trade Trading Centres, Markets
Fishing Fisheries Department
Research Research Station

Group Tasks:
Using the map of Kericho, draw a sketch/cross section to represent the area covered by grid
squares 5466, 5467, 5567 and 5566.

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1.3. Position, size and shape of countries of Eastern Africa

The following 11 counties make up the Eastern Africa region:
1. Tanzania
2. Rwanda
3. Burundi
4. Kenya
5. Uganda
6. Somalia
7. South Sudan
8. Sudan
9. Ethiopia
10. Eritrea
11. Djibouti

Position
The Eastern Africa region is bordered to the south by Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia all
along the Tanzanian border, by DR Congo, Central African Republic and Chad to the west,
Libya and Egypt to the North and by the Red sea and Indian Ocean to the East. The region lies
between longitudes 25°E and 50°E and latitudes 20°N and 10°S.

Size
The 11 Eastern African countries collectively occupy 5,900,000km² of land and water.

Shape
The region is narrow to the south from the border of Tanzania with Mozambique, Malawi and
Zambia and enlarges from the middle, northwards in Uganda, Kenya stretching into Somalia up
to the Gulf of Aden to the border of Egypt in the North East and that of Chad in the North West.

Map of East Africa showing the countries position, size and shape.

Draw the map of Eastern Africa and show the position, size and
shape of the region

Latitudes and Longitudes

These are imaginary lines drawn on maps. They help in locating places or features found in
different places/parts of the earth’s surface.

Latitudes

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These are lines drawn from west to east, and which help us to determine distances to North and
south. Latitudes are parallel to each other and never at any time meet. They are measured in
degrees North and South of the Equator.

The Equator is the main latitude and usually marked 0°. It divides the earth into two equal
parts – Northern and Southern Hemispheres respectively.
Apart from the Equator the other major latitudes are:

 The tropic of cancer at 23½°N

 The Arctic Circle at 66½°N
 The North Pole at90°N
 The Tropic of Capricorn at23½°S
 The Antarctic circle at 66½°S
 The South Pole at 90°S

Longitudes
These are lines drawn on a map from the North to the South. Longitudes meet at the poles
because of the spherical shape of the earth hence it has the north and south poles. The main
longitude is the Greenwich or Prime meridian - 0°. It passes through the Greenwich city of the
United Kingdom.

Calculating time using Longitudes

As one moves East or West of the Greenwich meridian, time is gained or lost respectively. A
movement of 1° east of the Greenwich leads to a gain of four minutes. Therefore places East of
the Greenwich meridian are ahead of time whereas those to the west are behind time.

Examples:
1. Rumbek, a city in South Sudan lies along longitude 25°E. The time there is 1400hrs.
What would be the time at Hargesia in Somalia along Longitude 50°E.

Procedure

 500-250= 250
 10 = 4minutes Therefore, a movement of 250 East leads to a gain in time as illustrated
 25x4= 100minutes.
 Convert 100minutes into hours i.e. 1 hour 40minutes.
 Add 1Hour 40minutes to 1400Hrs =1340Hrs.

2. The time at Kisangani in DRC is 8.00am.Kisingani is on longitude 200 west of the

Greenwich. What would be the time in Mombasa, 300 east of the Greenwich?
300+200 =500x4 =200minutes= 3hrs, 20 minutes.
Add to 8.00am = 11.20 am

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1.4. Physical features in Eastern Africa

Physical features are natural and man-made landforms found in the environment. These features
have been formed through various processes such as:
 Volcanic Activity
 Faulting
 Folding

The main physical features in Eastern Africa include:

 Mountains
 Valleys
 Plains
 Depressions
 Hills
 Escarpments
 Georges
 Oceans
 Seas
 Lakes
 Rivers

The rift valley

Was formed through a process called faulting in which tension forces move forward opposite
direction within the earth crush and cracks develop in the sedimentary rocks forcing the blocks
between the cracks to sink, leading to the formation of rift valley.

Draw the two illustrations of the faulting process through tensional forces.

The forces may also pull towards the Centre as compressional forces causing the central block to
slide down.

Draw the two illustrations of the faulting process through compressional

forces.

Mountains
There are four types of mountains in Eastern Africa classified according to their formation.
Namely:
Volcanic mountains
Formed through volcanic actions in the earth’s crust causing the molten rock called magma to be
expelled by high pressure from the interior of the earth to the surface through cracks or fissures
known as vents.
When the material reaches the earth’s surface, it spreads in different directions and it cools
down. This material is called lava and may spread and form dome-shaped mountains depending
on the pressure at which the magma is expelled from the interior of the earth.

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Draw an illustration of a volcanic mountain

There are three types of volcanoes-Dormant, Active and Extinct.

Examples of active volcanic mountains in East Africa include:
 Mfumbiro on the Uganda and DRC border.
 Mt.Oldonyo le Ngai in Tanzania

Dormant volcanic mountains are:

 Mt Suswa in Kenya
 Mt Moroto in Uganda

Extinct volcanic mountain include:

 Elgon along Kenya-Uganda border
 Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
 Jebel Marra in Sudan.

Block Mountains
Formed when old layers of the earth’s crust are subjected to compressional forces. They are also
referred to as Horst Mountains.

Draw an illustration of the steps in the formation of Block Mountains

Examples include:
Kenya
 Nyiru
 Ndoto
 Mathews
Tanzania
 Pare
 Usambara
 Uluguru

Ruwenzori- Uganda
Danakil -Eritrea
Karas -Sudan

Fold Mountains
These are formed when young sedimentary rocks are subjected to compressional forces which
make them fold or bend making some parts to rise and others to form troughs.

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Draw an illustration of the steps in the formation of fold mountains

The protruding parts are called anticlines, whereas the singing parts- synclines.

Residual mountains.
Are formed when existing mountains which might have been formed through any of the
processes are eroded leaving the parts with hard rocks standing above the other areas.
Examples include:

North Africa:
 Ahaggar
 Tibesti
 Fishers’ Tower

 Namuli -N. Mozambique

 Hombui -Mali

Plateaus:
Formed when lava spreads over a very wide area during volcanic activity before it cools. Other
plateaus are formed when former highland areas are reduced to a flat or level land by erosion
over several years. During this process, some hills are left standing on these eroded plateaus.
These hills are called Inselbergs.

Examples of plateaus in Kenya

 Uasin Gishu
 TransNzoia
 Nyabondo
 Nyika-(eroded)

 Some parts of Ethiopian highlands

 Maasai -steep in Tanzania.

Plains:
These are low lying areas, some with isolated hills called inselbergs some of which have flat tops
while others appear like huge rounded domes. Majority of plains are formed through:
Denudation –destruction of landscape through weathering, mass wasting and erosion
In Eastern Africa, plains are found in:

 Eastern and Northern parts

 Kano plains in Nyanza
 Around Dodoma Tanzania.
Rivers:
Include permanent and seasonal ones. Some of these rivers form deltas (many channels) as they
enter into the seas or lakes through a single channel called estuary.

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Major rivers in Eastern Africa include;

 Nile
 Tana
 Juba
 Ruvuma

Some rivers have rapids and waterfalls.

Lakes
Are formed through;
 Wind action (Siwa depression in Egypt)
 Glacial action downhill (Tarus) on Mt. Kenya and Ruwenzori.
 Faulting (Abaya-Ethiopia, Rukwa, Eyasi, and Natron in Tanzania).
 Down warping-Victoria.
 Deposition (Ox- bow). Kanyaboli on River Yala-Kenya,Utange on River Rufiji-
Tanzania.
 Volcanic activity e.g. -crater lakes- where lava flows into a valley and blocks a river
channel.
 Human made lakes- construction of lakes for irrigation purposes e.g. Lakes Masinga,
Kamburu and Kindaruma in Kenya, Lake Nasser in Egypt.

Draw an illustration of how Lake Victoria was formed through the down-
warping process

Task: In groups, discuss how physical features influence human activities in Eastern
Africa.

Influence/Effects of physical features human activities in Eastern Africa.

1. Crop farming is done on the wind ward side whereas pastoralism is done on the
leeward side of mountains because of reduced rainfall.
2. Mountains act as catchment areas for rivers and fishing takes place in some of these
rivers e.g. Sagana from Mt. Kenya.
3. Steep slopes make it difficult to construct roads around mountains.
4. Some volcanic mountains discourage human settlement and activities since they erupt
and cause deaths and destruction of property.
5. Mountains add beauty to the environment and also attract tourists.
6. Some mountains and hills have mineral deposits that promote mining. Similarly,
some lakes such as Magadi also have mineral deposits.
7. Mountain tops and slopes may have forests that promote lumbering activities.
8. Plateaus encourage settlement and farming activities.
9. Brick making is done in areas near swamps.
10. Plains promote irrigation activities whereas others are prone to floods and
displacement of people.

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11. Some swamps encourage survival of harmful insects that cause diseases e.g.
mosquitoes.
12. Valleys formed from volcanic activity promote the generation of geothermal energy
from hot springs and geysers.
13. Rivers with waterfalls and rapids promote generation of hydro- electric power as well
as attracts tourists.
14. Some navigable rivers and lakes are used for water transport.
15. Fishing is done in both rivers and lakes.
16. Canoe and boat making industries are promoted in areas near lakes and rivers.

Activity: Draw the map of eastern Africa and show the main physical
features.

1.5. Weather
Is the atmospheric condition of a place over a short period of time in relation to various
elements.It is also the day to day conditions of the atmosphere.

Elements of weather
 Rainfall
 Temperature
 Air pressure
 Sunshine
 Wind
 Humidity
 Cloud cover

Weather measuring instruments and units

Weather Element Instrument Unit

1. Rainfall Rain guage Millimeters(mm)
2. Temperature Thermometer Degrees Celsius(0°c)
3. Air pressure Barometer Milibars (mb)
4. Sunshine Campbell stroke’s
sunshine Recorder
5. Wind (direction, Speed) (Wind vane, wind Km/hr
sock) Anemometer.
6. Humidity Hygrometer Wet and dry
Thermostat.
7. Cloud cover

Draw illustrations of various weather measuring instruments

Indigenous methods of weather observation.

The following were used by traditional societies to forecast weather;

 Migration and behavior of insects.

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 Behavior of birds.
 Behavior of animals.
 Behavior of plants.
 Observation of the sky.
 Use of the wind
 Day and night temperatures
 Interpretation of the atmospheric pressure
 Information from weather forecasting families
 Storing water at night during the dry season
 Presence of morning dew followed bright sunshine that signified rainfall.
 Fog in the morning during the dry season would indicate that the rainy season was
approaching.

Weather recording.
 This is the reading of weather elements on a daily basis and recording immediately
because of the constant changes of weather.
 Most weather elements are observed and recorded daily at 9:00am except daily
temperatures which are taken at 6:30pm on a daily basis.
 For wind, it is advisable to make two or more recordings then find the average.
 For humidity, the average of high and low in a day is taken.

1.6 Climate:
Refers to the prevailing weather conditions of a place observed and recorded for a period of 30-
35years.

Factors influencing the climate of Africa

Latitudes-
 Places near the equator experience higher temperatures due to the direct angle at
which the sun’s rays strike them.
 Places towards the poles or far away from the equator are cooler because the sun’s
rays hit the earth at an acute angle.

Altitude-
This is the height above the sea level. For every rise by 300m, there is a drop in temperatures in
1°c. This is because hot air heated by the sun’s rays rises and condenses at higher temperatures.

Ocean currents-
Surface water in oceans move in streams called ocean currents.
An ocean current may be warm or cold depending on its origin.
If it flows from a hot area, it is a warm current, whereas current that flows from a cold area is
cold.

Winds-
Wind is air in motion. Wind which blows across big land masses are often dry whereas those that
blow across water bodies carry with them moisture and may result into convectional rainfall.

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Distance from large water bodies-

Places near large water bodies are warm/hot since water absorbs heat slowly and also take a
longer time to release it, whereas places far away from water bodies are colder since land loses
heat much faster than water bodies.

Shape of the coastline-

The shape of the coastline affects how wind blows in the area. Irregular coastlines receive more
rain due to winds carrying moisture which blow on them. The shape of the coastline also affects
the size of the land area which gets into contact with the mass of water. The reverse in applicable
for straight or irregular coastlines.

Relief-
This influences the temperatures and rainfall experienced in a place. Winds carrying moisture are
forced to rise whenever they cross a hill or mountain. They hence condense and form clouds that
culminate into relief rainfall.

Aspect-
Refers to the condition of a place in relation to the heat from the sun. Slopes in high areas which
do not get direct rays from the sun experience low temperatures. This factor is found in the mid
and high latitude areas than in the tropics.

Human Activities-
The activities practiced in an area influence the climate. Activities such as clearing of forests and
other vegetation for farming, burning of charcoal, pollution of water bodies and industrial
activity increase the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and hence affect climate adversely.

Climatic Regions of Eastern Africa

Eastern Africa experiences different types of climatic conditions. The region can be divided into
climatic conditions as shown on the map.

Equatorial climate:
Is experienced in low land areas which are found between latitudes 5°N and 5°S of the equator.

Areas found within these regions are:

 Congo basin
 Coastal lowlands
 Lake Victoria basin

Characteristics
 High temperatures with an average of 25°c caused by overhead sun.
 High rainfall between 1700mm to 2250mm per year.
 Two rainy seasons which are mainly in the afternoons.

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 High humidity throughout the year.

Tropical climate:
Found in areas bordering the equatorial climate and which lie within the tropics between
latitudes 15°N and 5°S of the equator.
This type of climate is also known as savannah and it is found in most parts of Africa.

Characteristics:
 Experience two dry seasons and two hot seasons caused by the influences of the
earth.
 High temperatures in most parts of the year which range between 15°cand 25°c.
 Rainfall ranges between 380mm to 2000mm per year.
 High rainfall dry the hot – wet period and vice versa.

Semi desert and desert climate:

It is found in areas near the tropical type of climate within latitudes 30° north and 15° south of
the equator. In eastern Africa the main deserts are the ogaden and chalbi found in Ethiopia and
Kenya respectively.

Mountain climatic region:

Is experienced in highland areas and is also referred to as Alpine climate. The altitude of these
areas influences the climate here. Such altitude is 2600mm above the sea level.
Snow is found on some mountains such as Mt. Kenya in Kenya,Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and
Ruwenzori in Uganda.

Effects of weather and climate on human activities:

1. Human beings tend to settle/move to areas with high rainfall and fertile soils where
they practice agriculture.
2. Forested areas with sufficient rainfall encourage development of lumbering related
activities
3. Pastoralism and irrigation farming are practiced in areas with low rainfall.
4. Parts of semi- arid and arid areas are homes for wildlife and the main economic
activity is tourism.
5. People avoid settling in areas with very low or very high temperatures.

Factors influencing climate change in Eastern Africa

 Deforestation and decrease of vegetation
 Pollution of the atmosphere by the industries
 Burning of biomass and fossil fuels
 Agricultural activities
 Direct modification of the hydrological cycle through irrigation
 Urbanization

Task1: In your groups discuss the impact of climate change on economic activities

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Task2: Draw the map of Eastern Africa and indicate the main climatic zones

1.7 Vegetation in Eastern Africa

Vegetation refers to plants found in the environment. It can be natural or planted by human
beings and include:
 Crops
 Weeds
 Forests
 Vegetables

Mount photographs of various types of natural and planted

vegetation.

Factors influencing distribution of vegetation in Eastern Africa

 Physical factors
 Altitude
 Terrain, drainage and aspect
 Climatic factors
 Animals and plants
 Soils
 Human factors/activities

Characteristics of main vegetation zones in Eastern Africa

Tropical Rain Forest
 Is found within the equatorial climatic region which receives high rainfall throughout
the year.
 They are also known as Equatorial forests.
 Along the East Africa Coast, they are known as the mangrove forests.

Characteristics
 Trees are evergreen throughout the year and pollinated by insects.
 Trees have many and broad leaves.
 Trees are tall, close together and have smooth stems.
 Trees have climbing plants.
 Most trees have shallow roots and hence have buttress roots.
 The floor of the forest has little or no undergrowth and are instead covered by
decaying vegetation.
 Trees form canopy or umbrella like- shape at the top.
 Most of the trees are hard woods such as:
 Camphor
 Ebony
 Teak

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 Meru oak

Tropical grassland or savannah:

Found in areas which experience the tropical climate in Eastern Africa.

Characteristics:
 Trees are stunted, widely spaced and most have thorns
 Trees have umbrella-like shapes and are of medium heights
 The main species are acacia and baobab
 There are tall grasses near Equatorial zones
 Trees have very deep roots, thick barks and narrow leaves to reduce water loss
through evapo-transpiration
 Most of the trees shed off their leaves during the dry season (known as deciduous)

Desert and semi desert vegetation

Found in desert and semi desert climatic condition of Ogaden and Chalbi

Characteristics:
 Fleshy and thorny plants such as cactus, acacia and euphorbia trees are found.
 There are also shrubs and short tough grasses.
 Most of the plants have long roots and thorny leaves.
 Their leaves are small, waxy and shiny to check water loss.
 The plants are always dry and dead during the dry seasons and healthy in rainy
seasons.

Mountain vegetation
Found in the highlands and mountains of Eastern Africa.
Characteristics:
 Scattered trees such as acacia and tropical grassland grow up to 1500 metres above
the sea level.
 Forests made up of hardwoods and softwoods up to 2800m.
 Bamboo, thicket found between 2800-3800m
 Hearth and moorland is found between 3800m and the snowline.
 Bare rock and snow found beyond the snow line in some mountains such as
Kilimanjaro, Kenya and Ruwenzori

Swamp vegetation
 Found in areas with swamps
 Vegetation here include Bamboo and reeds.

Importance of Vegetation in Eastern Africa

1. Conservation of soil by reducing soil erosion
2. Protection of water catchment areas which are the source of rivers

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3. Source of energy for domestic use for example firewood and charcoal
4. For construction purposes where timber and grass are used for building houses
whereas poles are used to construct electricity lines and making furniture
5. Acts as raw material for some industries such as paper.
6. Serves as habitat for wild animals that attract tourists
7. Provides herbs for any various diseases
8. Sources of food for human beings, animals and birds
9. Influences the climate of the areas where they are found by increasing the amount of
rainfall.
10. Some communities use forests for cultural and religious practices e.g. shrines for
worship
11. Forests act as boundaries
12. Vegetation purifies the air in the biosphere when plants release oxygen and takes in
carbon dioxide
13. Some trees are used as source of fiber for making baskets
14. Vegetation beautifies the landscape hence adds aesthetic valve
15. Vegetation beautifies the landscape hence adds aesthetic valve e.g. grasses, flowers,
trees etc.
16. Some vegetation are used as ledges for security e.g. Kay-apple.

Task; Draw the map of Eastern Africa and show the main Vegetation zones.

1.8. Environmental conservation project

Identify, design and implement an environmental conservation project in your college.

1.9. Historical Built Environments in Eastern Africa

These are various places of historic significance in East Africa and include:
 Pre-historic sites/Archaeological sites
 Historical features and monuments e.g. fort Jesus, Gedi ruins
 Artifacts found in national museums
 Gazetted sites of national heritage
 Monuments of independence heroes and post- independence leaders.

Pre-historic sites in Eastern Africa

-
Kenya Tanzania Uganda Ethiopia
Fort Ternan Apis Rock Ishango Bodo
Gambles Cave Garusi Magosi Hadar
Hyrax Hill Eyasi Mweya Omo River
Kariandusi Isimila Nsongesi Valley
Koobi fora Oldvai Gorge Napak
Olorgesaille Peninj Nyabusora
Rusinga Island Nyero
Molo River Paraa
Kanjera

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STRAND 2.0.PEOPLE, POPULATION AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

2.1 Language Groups in Eastern Africa

Definition:
People- refer to individual persons living or found in a particular place.
Population-number of people in a given place.
Social organization- refers to institutions within the society that bring people together.

The people of Eastern can be divided into four main language groups:
 Bantu
 Nilotes
 Cushites
 Semites

The Bantu
The Bantu of Eastern Africa are divided into:
a).Western Bantu include:
 Baganda
 Batoro
 Bahaya
 Wanyamwezi
 Abaluhya
 Abagusii

b).Eastern Bantu:
Highlands- Agikuyu, Aembu, Akamba, Chagga.
Coastal- Mijikenda, Taita, Taveta, Pokomo, Bajuni.

Origins

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Moved from their original home in the Cameroon- Nigerian border and travelled southwards into
the Katanga area in the Congo basin. One group moved further south east into Tanzania and
Kenya and became the eastern Bantu. The other moved through Mount Elgon into western
Kenya and Eastern Uganda. Forming the western Bantu

Causes of Bantu migration

 Use of iron technology to till more land and expand and conquer new lands.
 With better iron tools, they tilled more land got more food and hence became more
productive.
 The Bantu were initially pastoralists and hence moved looking for land and pasture for
animals.
 Family and clan conflicts
 Natural calamities and diseases
 Droughts and famine.
 External aggression by neighbors
 Spirit of adventure.
The Nilotes
Moved from the Nile valley into Ethiopia, Sudan and Eastern Africa into three groups:

 Highlands- settled the highlands- cattle keepers (mixed farmers) examples include the
Kenyan Kalenjin communities of Nandi, Kipsigis,Sabaot, Pokot, Marakwet,Keiyo and
Tugen.
 Plains –Nomadic pastoralists examples include the Samburu, Maasai,
Turkana,Karamojong,Teso.
 River lake- fishermen they include; Acholi, Padhola, Langi, Luo.

The Cushites
Moved from Saudi Arabia into North Eastern Africa and Northern Kenya in two groups:
a).Southern cushites i.e. the Dhahalo.
b).Eastern cushites- include
 Somali
 Borana/Oromo
 Gabbra
 Burji
 Rendille

Semites
Semitic languages include:
 Arabic
 Amharic
 Tigrinya
 Hebrew
They were formed as a result of intermarriages between Africans and Arabic communities.

Causes of the migration of the Nilotes, Cushites and Semites

 Search for grazing land for their animals

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 Drought and famine

 Population increase
 Diseases and epidemics
 Internal conflicts
 Escape from hostile neighbors
 Spirit of adventure

Effects of the migration of Bantus, Nilotes, Cushites and Semites

1. Population increase in the settled regions
2. Spread of iron working technology and increase in food production and fertility
3. Increase in trading activities/intercommunity trade
4. Intermarriages among various communities E.g. Agikuyu, Maasai, Luo-Luyha
5. Exchange/adoption of cultural practices such as circumcision
6. Enrichment of languages due to borrowing of words.
7. Displacement of some communities such as the Maasai by the Nandi
8. The Kwavi Maasai borrowed cultivation of land as a practice from the Agikuyu.
9. Absorption of some communities such as the Dorobo
10. Introduction of Islam as a religion by the Cushites
11. Introduction of the age set system.

2.2 .Population Distribution and population growth in Eastern Africa

Factors influencing population distribution and growth in Eastern Africa:

a).Physical factors
 Climate
 Relief
 Altitude
 Pests and diseases
 Drainage

b)Human/Economic factors
 Economic activities e.g. mining, industries, trade and agriculture.
 Urbanization
 Security
 Government policy
 Historical events such as slave trade and land alienation
 Existence of social amenities
 Migration
 Natural calamities

Factors leading to slow population Growth

 Outbreak of diseases such as malaria, HIV and AIDS, Ebola and covid-19.
 Prolonged droughts and famine
 Change of cultural attitudes
 Preference for small families
 Adoption and use of family planning methods

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 Natural calamities such as floods, lightening and empties

 Late marriages
 Immigration

Factors leading to rapid population growth

 High fertility rates due to improved nutrition
 Improved health care services
 Improved literacy levels
 Political stability
 Cultural practices such as particular gender preference and polygamy.
 Migration of refugees.

Effects of high population growth in Eastern Africa

 High number of dependents
 Strain on social services e.g. education, housing
 Unemployment
 Pressure on productive land
 Increase in rural-urban migration
 Increased prevalence of diseases
 Rise in urban social ills such as crime, prostitution
 Environmental degradation
 Uneven distribution of population
 Availability of labor and market for goods and services

Ways of managing population growth

 Family planning services
 Public awareness campaigns on the importance of smaller families
 Developing rural areas to reduce rural-urban migration
 Increase agricultural production to reduce social evils
 Developing and implementing a national population policy
 Employment creation through varieties youth empowerment programs.

2.3 The family:

Is a group of people who are related either by birth, marriage or adoption.
There are three main types of families namely:
 Nuclear
 Extended
 Single parent

Basic family needs include:-

 Food
 Shelter
 Education
 Medical care

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Task 1: In your groups discuss the roles of various family members.

2: Discuss how you would take care of family members with special needs
3: Identify various family possessions and their importance

2.4. The school:

A school is a place where formal education takes place. Schools have routines that are
programmes of activities outlined to be followed every day.

Structure of administration.
A public school is administered through:

County Education board

School Management Committee

Parents Association

Head teacher

Deputy Head Teacher

Senior Teacher

Teachers

Prefects

Pupils

2.5. The clan system, age groups and age sets

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A clan is a group of people living together in an area/ locality and share a common ancestor.
Clan members may also be as a result of residence.

Functions of a clan
 Provided members with resources such as land.
 Provided a sense of identity to members/belonging
 Settled disputes among members
 Punished wrong doers
 Was custodian and traditions/provided labor.
 Defended its community through the age set system
 Apportioned roles/responsibilities to members/provided labor
 Assisted members during calamities or those who had no basic needs.
 Made important decisions such as declaration of war, planting or cultivation
 Organized for the burial of dead members

Age sets and Age groups

Age sets- comprised those who were initiated around the same time.
Age groups- comprised those who were born around the same time

Functions of age sets and age groups.

Senior Age sets –
 Provided education during initiation on the importance of community values.
 Custodian of community morals
 Settled disputes among members
 Performed duties delegated to them by the seniors.
 Protected the community from external attacks.
 Prepared members for various adult roles
 Served as good role models to the youth.
 Senior members presided over community functions.

Ceremonies and festivals

These were occasions observed/performed often or periodically e.g.
 Birth and naming
 Initiation
 Marriage
 Burial ceremonies

Festivals were held once after a long line to celebrate certain events e.g.
 The year of victory in war
 The year of a bumper harvest
 Religious and cultural festivals

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2.6. Cultural artifacts

These are portable and non-portable/intangible objects that are held in high esteem by the
community and used for:
 Security e.g. spears, bows, arrows
 Furniture- three legged stool
 Utensils- pestle and mortar, calabash
 Musical- Carvings for aesthetics
 Features that are not portable e.g. burial sites remains of buildings, temples, palaces
etc.

Importance of artifacts
1. A source of rich cultural heritage
2. Used for security of community members
3. Some are used to prepare traditional herbs/medicine e.g. pestle and mortar.
4. Used for entertainment e.g. drums,flutes, guitars
5. Used for aesthetics such as necklaces, bangles.

Tasks:
i. Visit the nearby Museum identify and describe the importance of the various
cultural artifacts.
ii. Draw the various types of artifacts that you observed from the museum.

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STRAND 3: RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

3:1.1 Agriculture
Agriculture refers to the growing of crops and rearing of animals for subsistence and commercial
purposes.

Types of farming
a) Subsistence farming
Is a type of farming that concentrates on growing of crops on a small scale basis for domestic
use.

Characteristics:
 Crops are grown mainly for domestic consumption
 Farms are small and fragmented
 Little or no manure or fertilizer is applied to the soil
 Main source of labor is human- using simple tools e.g. jembes and pangas
 The yields are often low and do not last long.
 It requires little capital investment
 Mixed cropping is practiced
 Traditional methods of farming are mainly used e.g. shifting cultivation

b) Small scale agriculture/farming

 Is also referred to as small holdings farming.
 Cash crops are grown on a small scale basis
 It is common in areas where land is small but fertile to allow cultivation of crops.
 It is practiced in areas with high population densities
 Involves little capital investment
 It is labor intensive
 The produce are either for subsistence or commercial purposes.

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c) Large scale farming

 Crops are grown on large pieces of land
 Cash crops are grown on large scale and either sold in bulk locally or exported
 Crops are grown in plantations or estates
 Farms average 400 hectares and above
 High capital outlays is involved
 Majority of farms are owned by multinational companies
 Most farms practice monoculture i.e. growing of a single crop
 All operations are highly mechanized
Some of the crops under large scale farming include:
-Tea
-Coffee
-Maize
-Sugarcane

Physical conditions that favor the growing of various cash crops

Crop Rainfall Temperature Soils Altitude Topography

COFFEE High Cool to high Deep, well Highlands Gently
rainfall of 15°- 30°C drained 1000- undulating
1000- volcanic 2300m land scape
2000mm above sea
well level
distributed
TEA High Cool to warm Volcanic, 1000- Gently sloping
rainfall 15°-25°C acidic well 1700m well drained
1000- trained above sea
2000mm level
well
distributed
SUGARCAN High High Alluvial 600-1200m Gently
E rainfall temperatures clay or above sea undulating
1200- 21°-27°C black level land/plain for
1500mm cotton mechanization
well
distributed,
a warm
season for
ripening
MAIZE Moderate to 17-18° Deep 2100m and Undulating
high rainfall nitrate rich above topography for
635- soils mechanization.
1145mm
with dry

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season
during
harvesting

3:1:2 Horticulture
Horticulture is the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers on commercial basis. In Kenya,
horticulture is practiced in both small scale and large scale.

Horticultural crops include:

 Vegetables
 Fruits
 Flowers

Conditions that favor horticulture in Kenya Netherlands

Kenya Netherlands
Hot and wet climate ideal for farming A warm gulf stream found at the coast that
creates warm weather for flowers to flourish
Existence of high demand locally and Fertile and well drained sandy soils
internationally for crops
Benefits from mechanical help from friendly Presence of advanced technology in
countries e.g. Germany horticulture production.
Investment by large companies Existence of good means of transport and
communication.
Presence of fertile soils in most parts of the High number of skilled labour involved in
country production and packaging.
Support from government Existence of organized marketing systems
based on cooperatives.

Contribution of cash and Horticultural crops to Kenya’s economy

 Sources of food for livestock and people
 Earns the country foreign exchange from the export of agricultural products
 Sources of revenue in the form of direct and indirect taxes
 Sources of income to farmers
 Creation of employment opportunities directly and indirectly
 Provision of raw materials for agro-based industries
 Leads to development of transport and communication networks thereby opening up the
areas
 Promotes land reclamation and use
3.3.3.Pastoralism
Pastoralism- is the practice of keeping large herds of livestock.

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Nomadic pastoralism involves the movement from place to place with such livestock in search of
water and pasture. It is a major economic and cultural activity for some communities in Kenya
and West Africa.
In Kenya, pastoralism is practiced in the following countries:
 Marsabit
 Isiolo
 Garissa
 Wajir
 Mandera
 Tana River
 Turkana
 West Pokot
 Baringo
 Samburu
 Laikipia
 Kajiado
 Narok
In West Africa, pastoralist is practiced by/in:
 The Fulani of Senegal
 Mali
 Burkina Faso
 Nigeria
 Niger
 Chad

Factors influencing nomadic pastoralism

1. Cultural factors- pastoralists keep animals for prestige and for their cultural values i.e.
sign of wealth, payment of dowry.
2. Climate and soils- These areas receive very low rainfall, experience high temperatures
that only support the growth of short grass. Soils are also infertile
3. Availability of large tracks of land for grazing. The land is communally owned.
4. Absence of pests due to lack of bushes and woodlands.
5. Sparse population
6. Presence of vegetation which provides pasture to the animals such as shrubs, thorn
bushes and grasses
7. Existence of high demand for livestock products locally and abroad.

Challenges facing nomadic pastoralists

 Frequent droughts due to lack of water in the areas
 Overstocking
 Pests and diseases that occasionally attack the animals
 Poor quality of local livestock breeds
 Poor transport and communication networks
 Insecurity caused by high incidences of cattle rustling
 Competition from foreign livestock products

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 Invasion of grazing areas by crop farmers.

Changes taking place in pastoral farming areas in Kenya and West Africa
The following measures have been introduced by governments of the countries in which
pastoralism is practiced to improve the lives of the farmers.

 Building dams, boreholes and other water sources/ reservoirs to increase water supply.
 Application of fertilizers to make the grass grow well.
 Deploying extension officers to provide veterinary services and information on how to
take care of the animals.
 Undertaking research in animal diseases to control livestock diseases.
 Introduction of drought resistant grass to guarantee availability of pasture
 Educating pastoralists on the need to keep manageable numbers of livestock.
 Cross breeding of animals to improve quality of breeding and ensure immunity from
diseases
 Establishing the anti- stock theft police unit to prevent and deal with cattle rustling.
 Development of roads and other means of transport in pastoral areas
 Establishment of livestock markets in pastoral areas
 Encouraging pastoralists to adopt crop farming and other economic activities to reduce
over-reliance on livestock.
 Establishing group and individual ranches to improve the quality of livestock
 Introduction of social amenities such as schools, dispensaries to encourage pastoralists to
adopt settled life.
 Establishment of Farmers Training Centers to educate them on modern practices

Contributions of pastoralism to the economy of Kenya

1. Animals provide food such as meat, milk, blood and butter
2. Hides and skins from animals are processed to make leather products such as shoes, belts,
bags.
3. Bones from animals are used to manufacture glue
4. High demand for livestock products has made the various governments to improve on the
roads in pastoral areas.
5. Proceeds from the sale of livestock and their products is used to improve on other sectors
such as schools and hospitals.
6. Livestock products are raw materials for other industries such as milk processing, leather,
glue.

Draw a map of Kenya showing countries where pastoralism is

practiced.
Tasks:
i. Your home County Government plans to roll out a project aimed improving the lives of
pastoralists and the productive capacity of their herds.
ii. It has invited written submissions to the department of Agriculture and Livestock
Development on changes that should be introduced in order to achieve this.
In your groups, brainstorm and make a detailed write-up for submission.
iii. Draw a map of Kenya showing countries where pastoralism is practiced.

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3.2. Forestry
A forest is a large area covered by trees and other plants. Forestry refers to the planting and
caring for trees in forest.

Types of forests in Eastern Africa

i).Natural forests that grow on their own
ii).Planted forests- planted and natured by human beings

a).Natural forests
 Tropical rain forests found in hot and wet areas. They are tall and appear in mixed
strands.
 Mangrove forests- found along the coast
 Highland forests- also known as temperate forests mainly found on slopes of mountains.
 Exotic forests – planted by human beings

Problems facing forests in Eastern Africa

 Clearance of land covered by forests for agriculture and industrial development
 Over exploitation of forest for of forests for timber and other products.
 Outbreak of forest fires that may burn large areas of forest land
 Poor supervision of forests because of poor communication owing to poor terrain and
remoteness
 Poor state of the roads in forests
 Attacks by pests and diseases e.g. cypress aphids.
 Prolonged droughts that wipe on large areas of forest
 Pollution from industries, vehicles and human beings
 Destruction of the barks by animals and human beings.

Forest conservation measures

 Introduction of afforestation and reforestation programmes
 Introduction of agro-forestry; planting of trees and crops in the same piece of land.
 Creation of forest reserves and gazetting them to protect the forests
 Establishment of training institutions to train personnel on forest management e.g.
Londiani training school.
 Public awareness campaigns on the importance of forest conservation
 Emphasis on alternative sources of energy to reduce reliance of firewood and charcoal
 Repossession of grabbed forest land
 Conducting research on plant species and pesticides to check the adverse effects of pests
and diseases on trees
 Enhance of laws on forest management to protect the forest
 Recycling of paper products to check demand for trees

Importance of forest conservation

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 Ensures continuous supply of timber for building houses, making furniture and paper
products
 Forests provide habitats for rare birds and animal species that attract tourists
 Ensures provision of herbal medicines and those used in the manufacture of drugs for
curing various diseases
 Several fruits, nuts and vegetables are found in forests that are used by human beings as
food.
 Trees help in protecting water catchment areas
 Forests control soil erosion act as wind breakers and purify the air and preserve air
substance between oxygen and carbon dioxide
 Forests add beauty to the environment

3.3.Fishing

Fishing is the process of harvesting fish from water.

Fishing grounds in Eastern Africa

Inland fishing grounds

1. On rivers-Nile, Congo, Rufiji, Kagera Yala,Tana, Nzoia, Nyando
2. Dams-Masinga, Kamburu, Kindaruma.
3. Lakes-Victoria, Turkana, Tanganyika, Malawi, Baringo, Naivasha

Marine fishing grounds;

In the coast of;

Kenya, Tanzania
Fish farms – various fish farms found in the Eastern African countries

Fishing methods.
a) Traditional fishing methods:
 Traps
 Spears
 Baskets
 Herbs

b) Modern methods:

i) Drifting/Use of gill nets

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 Nets are hung vertically in the sea or lake like volleyball net.
 The nets are fitted with floats on the upper side/edge whereas weights are put on the
lower side
 When the fish swim into the nets, they are caught by their gills in the mesh of the net and
therefore unable to forwards or backwards.
ii) Trawling
 Is the use of a bag shaped net whose mouth is kept open by boards called otter boards
 There are floats at the top of its mouth and weights at the bottom
 The nets are pulled along the sea floor by a ship called a trawler.

iii) Seining
 There are two types of seining nets.
 Haul seine nets are like drift nets while purse seines ones are like trawling.
 Haul seine are usually placed floating vertically in the sea like a wall with weights below
 Purse seine has an arrow conical end of netting
iv).Lining
This is the use of hand/haul lines and logic lives with baited hooks used to attract fish.

Fish preservation methods

Include:
 Refrigeration
 Sun drying
 Smoking
 Deep frying
 Salting
 Roasting
 Canning

Efforts made by the government to develop fish farming

 Establishment of institutions to training fish farmers
 Conducting research on fish varieties improvement
 Developing centers where fingerlings can be accessed with ease by farmers
 Employing extension officers to oversee fish farming in various areas
 Setting up and developing demonstration farms in different parts of the country where
farmers can be shown how to improve fish farming.

Contribution of fishing to the economy

 Is a rich source of protein food
 Earns the country foreign exchange from fish exports
 Contributes to industrial development as fish provides raw materials for making
fertilizers, animal feeds, plates and cups.
 It is a source of income for fishermen, fish traders
 Fish oil is used for making medicines and cooking oil
 Urban centers have developed from fishing villages especially at the coast

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 Fish ports and beaches have been connected to new roads, railways thereby opening those
areas

Problems facing fishing

 Pollution from industries, agricultural practices and residential areas
 Overfishing leading to exhaustion of fish from the fishing grounds
 Use of poor methods of fishing such as herbs as led to death of many fingerlings
 Poor/insufficient storage facilities leading to wastage
 Exploitation of fishermen by middlemen leads to loss of income
 Inadequate funds to procure modern fishing equipment
 Presence of needs such as the water hyacinth has made fishing difficulties in some lakes
 Presence of dangerous animals in the waters such as the hippos and crocodiles that attack
fishermen
 Poor export market in some parts of the world e.g. banning of fish exports market from
Kenya by the European union because of poor hygiene standards.

Ways of managing fisheries/conserving fisheries in East Africa

 Restocking overfished waters by introducing small fish
 Regulating the sizes of fishing nets used by fishermen to control indiscriminate fishing
 Enacting laws to control/prohibit pollution of fishing waters
 Encouraging research of fish to develop better varieties
 Improvement of transport network to avoid/reduce amazing from bad roads
 Installation of fish preservation facilities in the vessels and areas near the beaches
 Provision of loans to farmers to invest in modern technology in the industries
 Formation of fish cooperative societies for the fishermen to promote marketing and avoid
exploitation from unscrupulous middlemen
 Introduction of fish farms to increase fish stocks available for local consumption and
export.

3.4. Trade
Is the exchange of goods and services for money and other goods and services
It is usually carried out with a profit motive

Types of trade:
 Local/domestic trade
 Regional trade
 International trade

Business opportunities in Kenya

 Agricultural production
 Retail and wholesale
 Manufacturing/industries
 Transport and communication
 Hotel/hospitality
 Educational and health facilities
 Mining

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 Jua kali industries

 Consultancy services
 Banking and the financial sector
 Buying and selling of shares

Factors influencing trade

 Availability of goods and services
 Presents of marketing
 Existence of good means of transport and communication
 Adequate security
 Availability of adequate capital
 Government policies promoting trade

Importance of trade
 It is a source of foreign exchange
 Creates employment opportunities
 Source of government revenue
 Stimulates infrastructural development
 Promotes regional and international cooperation
 Encourages agricultural production and development of settlement areas
 Provision of markets for finished goods

Challenges facing trade in Eastern Africa

Task: In your groups, discuss the challenges facing trade in Eastern Africa and write down
your points in your note book

3.5. Industries
Industries are units of production of goods and services and their distribution for domestic and
commercial purposes

Types of industries
a) Traditional industries
These are industries that developed before the invention of machines and relied on locally
available materials and family labor that was manual.
Examples of these industries included pottery, crafts, weaving, iron work, leather work, wood
carving, bead work and making of gourds

b) Manufacturing industries
Involves the mixing of several materials to come up with final product. Examples include glass
making, textile factories, cement manufacture, paper, soap, plastics etc.

c) Processing industries

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These mainly specialize in the production of food products from agricultural produce. Examples
include coffee, tea, meat, sugarcane, maize, cotton, fruits, vegetables, wheat processing
industries

d) Assembly industries
These use locally made or Imported parts to make various materials especially materials.
Examples include motor vehicle assembling industries, farm machinery, electronics,
telecommunication equipment and home appliances

e) Service industries
These offer support services and financial help to other people. They include banking, insurance,
transport, printing, publishing, medical, tourism, hotel, administrative and repair and
maintenance services.

Factors influencing location of industries

 Availability of raw materials
 Closeness to loss of power
 Availability of market
 Means of transport and communication
 Availability of finance
 Favorable government policies
 Human resources (experts, managers, skilled, semi skilled labor)
 Other factors such as availability of land, water supply and topographical sites.

Contribution of industries to the economy

 Leads to expansion of employment opportunities
 Is a source of foreign exchange
 Utilizes locally available resources
 Is a source of government revenue in the form of licenses, taxes, and land rates.
 They promote agricultural production
 Industries lead to self-sufficiency in most products that a country would otherwise have
imported.
 Industries encourage development of roads, rail and air networks to various areas thereby
opening up such areas for trade and other forms of interactions
 Industrial growth encourages development of urban centers.
 Industrial development encourages good international relations.

3.6. Transport and Communication

Transport- is the physical movement of goods and people from one place to another through
various means.
Communication-refers to the sending and receiving of messages.

Forms of transport in Kenya

A) Traditional forms of transport
 Human porter age
 Use of pack animals (donkeys, camels, oxen)

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 Use of rafts on rivers, lakes

 Use of canoes and boats
 Sailing ships

b) Modern means of transport

 Road transport (using various forms of motorized transport such as vehicles, motorcycles
and bicycles)
 Railway transport
 Large ships, motorboats and steamers
 Air transport
 Pipelines
 Cable or wire transport
 Lifts and elevators

Forms of communication
A) Traditional forms of communication

 Fire and smoke signals

 Drumming/beating of drums
 Use of messengers/fast runners
 Blowing of horns
 Shouting/wailing
Modern means of communication
 Radio
 Television
 Newspapers and magazines
 Telephone
 Telex
 Facsimile (fax)
 Electronic mail (e-mail)
 Internet (instagram, tweeter, face book, whatsapp)
 Alarms

Factors that influence the development of transport and communication in Kenya

 Physical factors such as mountains, dense forests, water bodies, swamps etc.
 The size of population to be served
 Availability of natural resources to be exploited
 Nature of land / productivity of land
 Trade opportunities
 Government policy
 The country’s level of development/technical knowledge
 Colonial heritage

Importance of transport and communication

 Promotes trade
 Leads to increased human interaction

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 Improves security, administration and control

 Creates employment opportunities
 Generates revenue for traders and the government
 Leads to development of industries
 Opens up remote parts of the country for trade
 Leads to increased agriculture production
 Source of foreign exchange
 Communication promotes education and also a source of entertainments.

Road safety
Road safety is a set of efforts put in place to reduce or eradicate accidents associated with the use
of our roads as pedestrians, passengers or drivers. It involves focusing on the rules that should be
followed when using roads and the various vessels of transport. These rules are contained in the
Highway Code

The Highway Code:

1. Avoid walking on the road and instead use pavements or foot paths
2. Walk on the right side of the road so as to be able to see oncoming traffic.
3. Do not hang on any moving vehicle
4. Do not play on the sides of the road
5. Before crossing the road, look right, left and right again
6. Avoid running while crossing the road
7. When riding a bicycle, always use the left side of the road
8. When you have alighted from a vehicle, do not cross the road immediately check to make
sure the traffic is clear.
9. Avoid travelling in overloaded vehicles
10. Never jump on or from a moving vehicle
11. Do not throw or drop any food left or any other thing on the road or foot path.

Major road signs

These are special signs developed by road experts to impart information to road users.

a) Traffic lights
Have three colors
Red – motorists to stop/pedestrians to cross at zebra
Orange – motorists prepare to move
Green – motorists to move when the road is clear

b) Other road signs

i) Regulatory signs
 Used to regulate, control and restrict actions by road users
 They indicate actions that are allowed and those not allowed by road users e.g. stop, give
away, and change in direction.

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ii)Prohibition signs
These show areas on the road where certain actions are not allowed by road users e.g. overtaking
is prohibited, no entry, no U-turn.

iii)Warning signs
Alert drivers of dangerous conditions ahead on a road e.g. steep road, falling rocks, narrow road
etc.

iv)Information signs
Give information e.g. hospital, restaurant, police station, filling station.

Causes of road accidents

 Poor conditions of the road
 Use of unroad- worthy vehicles
 Careless motorists and other road users/failure to observe traffic rules
 Driving/using the road while under the influence of drugs
 Poor weather conditions
 Overloading
 Inefficient/corrupt traffic police officers

Task:
1. In your groups discuss ways of ensuring road safety and write down in your books.
2. In your groups, discuss the benefits of improved transport and communication network
in Kenya. Write down your points in your notebooks.

Tourism and Wildlife

Tourism- is the visitation of places of interest.
Wildlife- refer to living organisms such as animals, birds, insects, fish and other plants found in
their natural habitats outside places of human settlement.

Main tourist attractions in Eastern Africa

 Wildlife conserved in national parks and game reserves
 Sandy beaches at the coast
 Pre-historic sites and historical monuments.
 Physical features/ beautiful scenery
 Rich and varied culture
 Hotel facilities

Task1: Draw the map of East Africa and locate major national parks and Game reserves
Task2: Discuss ways of promoting domestic tourism
Task3: Discuss problems associated with tourism in Eastern Africa
Task4: Identify the various ways in which tourism is important to the economy of Kenya

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Challenges facing tourism in Eastern Africa

1. Insecurity in the parks in which tourists are attacked and their property stolen
2. Poor roads and other infrastructural facilities to the parks impedes easy movement
3. Terrorists attacks on tourist hotels
4. Competition from other countries with the same tourist attractions
5. Concentration of international hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa only. Tourists therefore
miss such hotels in other parts of the country
6. Poor publicity by the Kenya tourism board that ignores the other parts of the country
7. Fire outbreaks in the and reserves
8. Drought in the parks make animals/ wildlife migrate or perish
9. Pollution by the tourists in the parks and reserves
10. Adverse publicity abroad due to political violence, corruption and insecurity
11. Heavy taxes/tariffs imposed by county and national governments of tourists and hotel
rates.
12. High travel costs for international tourists in terms of air fare and visa fees
13. Few local tourists in Kenya since majority of the citizens have not embraced domestic
tourism
14. Poaching – illegal killing of wildlife that has reduced the number of elephants drastically
15. Human encroachment of national parks and game reserves.

Possible Solutions to the challenges facing Tourism and wildlife conservation in Eastern
Africa
1. Setting aside/up some special parks called sanctuaries to protect endangered species of
wildlife
2. Mass education on the importance of wildlife conservation
3. Establishment of training and research institutions on wildlife conservation and tourism
4. Enactment of laws dealing with wildlife protection and environmental conservation e.g.
those prohibiting poaching and environmental pollution
5. Creation of anti-poaching units under Kenya wildlife service
6. Imposition of ban on wildlife products and game hunting by the respective governments
7. Reduction of human population pressure around the parks
8. Encouragement of game ranching i.e. domestication of wildlife for various products
9. Conservation of natural forests that are habitats for wildlife

Draw a map of East Africa showing National parks and game

reserves

3.8. Mining
Mining is the extraction of minerals from the earth’s crust or surface

The main minerals found in Eastern Africa are:

 Soda ash

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 Flourspar
 Diatomite
 Salt
 Petroleum
 Copper
 Gold
 Limestone

Distribution of different minerals in Eastern Africa, the methods of extraction and their uses

Mineral Location Method of Uses

extraction
Soda Ash L. Magadi -Dredgers remove the -Making fertilizers
(Trona) (Kenya) mineral from the -Oil refinery
lake. -Making soap
-The mineral is -Making glass
crushed into small -Softening water
pieces and mixed -Making cloth
with water to form
slurry that is pumped
to the factory for
processing.
Fluorspar Kimwarer in Kerio -Open cast in which -Production of
valley(Kenya) the top layer of the hydrochloric acid
soil is removed to -Strengthening steel
expose the mineral and aluminum during
underneath. production
-Making of glass
Limestone -Bamburi near -Mined through the -Manufacture of
Mombasa open cast method cement
-Sultan Hamud -The rocks are -Manufacture of lime

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-Athi river scooped taken to the

-Homa hills near factory and crushed
Homa Bay into fine powder
-Koru in Kisumu
Diatomite -Kariandusi near -Open cast method -Making of white
Gilgil wash for painting
-Around Lake buildings
Elementaita -Making chalk
-Dry cleaning of
clothes and fabrics
-Sound proofing
buildings
Salt -Lake Magadi -Lake water is -Flavoring food
-Indian Ocean pumped into ponds -Preserving food
-Ngomeni near within the lake basin -Making soap
Malindi -The temperatures -Manufacture of glass
cause lake water to
evaporate leaving salt
crystals that collected
to the factory for
processing
Oil Turkana-Kenya Drilling -Making of fuels
-Making of LPG Gas
-Manufacture of
explosives
-Making of bitumen
-Making of Kerosene
Copper Kitembe- Uganda Open cast and deep Making wires and
shaft bars.

Effects of mining on the environment

 Pollution
 Dereliction of the landscape/ugly
 Destruction of vegetation
 Exposes land to soil erosion
 The open pits hold stagnant that harbor pests such as mosquitoes that cause diseases
 Mining may also lead to landslides that may cause deaths and destruction of property

Possible solutions to problems caused by mining

 Diversification of the economy to reduce over reliance on minerals.
 Recycling mines to limit excavating new mines.
 Establishing legislative controls to require mining companies carry out environmental
impacts assessments.
 Resettling of people displaced by mining.
 Neutralize acidic mining wastes to reduce pollution impact on the environment.

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 Conducting survey prior to mining to retain the top soil and replace it after it excavation
for use in agricultural purposes.

Contribution of minerals to the economy

 Earn the country foreign exchange.
 Leads to development of urban centers.
 Leads to development of transport network
 Creation of employment opportunities.
 Promote industrials development.
 Is a source of revenue from sales of minerals.
 Provision of various energy sources.

3.9 Urbanisation.
Urbanization is the growth and development of towns.

Types of urban centers.

 Capitals towns with administrative headquarters.
 Cities.
 Sea ports and lake ports.
 Mining towns.
 Agricultural collections centers.
 Industrials towns.
 Road junction towns.
 Garrison/military towns.
 Colonial administrative towns.

Factors influencing growth of urban centers

 Population increase.
 Availability of transports system.
 Development of industries.
 Discovery minerals.
 Development of agriculture.
 Growth of tourism.
 Establishment of administrative services/centers.
 Government policies such as establishment of Konza techno city.
 Establishment of schools, colleges and hospitals.

Problems associated with the growth of urban centers.

 Shortage of housing facilities due to high demand.
 Insecurity caused by criminals.
 Pressure on social amenities and sanitation.
 Pollution by people and industries.
 Traffic congestion leading to loss of time.

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 Unemployment due to rural urban migration.

 Erosion of traditional values due to convergences of people from diverse cultures.
 Rise on cases of drugs and substances abuse.
 Increase in social vices due to high level of poverty.
 Poor waste dispose and garbage collection.

Possible solutions to problems associated with urban centers.

 Developing rural areas to discourage rural-urban migration.
 Decentralization/delocalization of industries.
 Construction of more low-cost houses in urban areas.
 Increasing public awareness on dangers of drug abuse.
 Treatment and proper disposal of waste.
 Arresting and prosecuting drugs traffickers.
 Rehabilitation of drugs addicts.
 Deploying more security personnel in urban areas to prevent crimes.

STRAND 4
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS
4.1 Early forms of government in eastern Africa
This unit undertakes an examination of early forms of governments in eastern Africa prior to the
advent of colonial rule.
A critical analysis of the political, social and economic organizational structure of these
kingdoms is undertaken with a view to understanding how Africans developed and ran their own
affairs before Europeans colonized their territories.
This analysis has been carried out on three communities across East Africa (Uganda, Kenya and
Tanzania). Namely;
a) Baganda
b) Nyamwezi
c) Ameru

Baganda
The history of Baganda kingdom is attributable to the larger bunyoro-kitara kingdom that rose to
prominence in the 13th century.
It was however conquered by a Luo dynasty called Babito in the 16th century.
When the Babito broke up, one of the kingdoms that grew up, although it was a small one was
the Buganda kingdom.
Baganda kingdom’s growth was as a result of the following factors;
 It was a small and compact kingdom that was easy to control and rule.
 It was a highly centralized monarchy under the Kabaka and this ensured loyalty

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 The kingdom was strong economically with favorable climatic and fertile lands, while
lake Victoria provided a fishing ground that ensured supply of fish.
 The kingdom was able to control the long distance trade from the coast that ended up in
lake region.
 The kingdom leadership was rewarded by being given part of the bunyoro kingdom in
1896 by the British colonial administration. Its territory doubled in size.

Political organization:
 The kingdom was headed by a king called Kabaka, whose position was patrilineally
hereditary.
 The Kabaka was the political , judicial and religious head of the kingdom and was the
final court of appeal and commander in chief of the army.
 The Kabaka was assisted by senior government officials whom he appointed namely;

a) Katikiro-Prime minister
b) Omulamuzi-Cchief justice
c) Omwanika-Finance minister/treasurer
 The kingdom was divided into countries called Sazas under Saza chiefs.
 Countries was divided into sub-countries called Gombololas administered by Gombolola
chiefs.
 The gombololas were further divided into locations or kitongole headed by kitongole or
miluka Chiefs.
 Lukiko, comprising of council of chiefs acted as the legislative arm of the kingdom that
was responsible for making laws for the kingdom.
 The kabaka married a wife from the leading clans to ensure loyalty.
 Similarity, families form each leading clan sent their sons to the kabaka’s court at the
kingdom headquarters in Mengo to act as pages and be trained in administration.
 The kingdom had an army and a royal navy that patrol its territories.

Economic organization
 Fishing on lake Victoria
 Cultivating of bananas (staples food ) , millet and sorghum
 Keeping of cattle, sheep and goats.
 Local and long distance trade with the Swahili form the coast.
 Basketry, pottery, salt mining iron work and manufactured of bark-cloth.

Social organization
 The Baganda believes in the existences of one God –kalonda as well as t5he spirits of
theirs ancestors –lubaale.
 The Baganda was polytheists i.e. worshiped many other gods in shrines scattered all over
the kingdom.
 The kingdom was divided into several clans with the royal family of the kabaka at the
top, followed by the chiefs ,ordinary baganda and slaves at the bottom.
 The kabaka married from all the leading clans in order to maintain links with the rest of
the kingdom.
 There was division of labor i.e. men built houses whereas women tilled land.

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The Ameru

The Ameru are people who live on the adjoining north eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya.
They are part of the eastern Bantus who migrated from Shungwaya in the Tana delta alongside
the Akamba, Agikuyu and Aembu and moved to the central and eastern parts of Kenya.

Political organization
The Ameru are composed of nine sub tubes namely;
 Igembe
 Tigania
 Imenti
 Miutini
 Igoji
 Tharaka
 Mwimbi
 Muthambi
 Chuka

The Ameru political system was based on the clan.

They had a system of council of elders and age group which oversaw the administration of
community affairs.
Every Ameru belong to a relevant councils i.e. councils of children, council of warriors, council
of elders and the finally the council of Njuri Ncheke which was the supreme council that set the
moral code to be followed.
The council were responsible for settling disputes and also presided over religious ceremonies
and social functions such as initiation.
The council could also declare war on neighboring communities.
Religious leaders influenced the political administration of the Ameru and acted as prophets.

Draw a map of the colonial geography of the Ameru sub-tribes

Social organization

 There existed various councils with Njuri Ncheke as the supreme council responsible
for settling morals standards.
 One would be punished for going against the moral code set by paying a bundle of
miraa, a bull or a goat or a big pot of cowpeas in the event the offender was a woman.
 Marriage was respected and people were required to marry from outside their clans.
 A newly married woman had to look for an elderly woman to be her mid-wife during
birth.
 Adultery was prohibited and similarly virginity of young girls was mandatory.
 The Ameru practiced circumcision of both boys and girls.

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 A male child underwent several stages before he was considered mature. These stages
were meant to ensure upright behavior.
 The Ameru believed in existence of a supreme power (God) referrred to as Baaba
Weetu who was loving and took care of all.
 The Ameru had a strong belief in existence of spirits and their role in bringing joy and
calamity.
 Libations were offered to the ancestors to appease them.
 Women built houses while men defended the community.

Economic organization

 Cultivation of crops such as black beans, millet, peas and miraa.

 Kept various type of livestock such as goats, sheep and cattle.
 They traded with their Aembu, Agikuyu and Borana and Kamba neighbors.
 They made iron tools such as spears and knives.
 They also practiced basketry and weaving.

The Nyamwezi

 The Nyamwezi or Wanyamwezi are one of the Bantu groups of East Africa.
 They are the largest ethnic group in Tanzania and their ancestral homeland is the part
of Tobora, Singida Shinyanga and Katavi.
 The term Nyamwezi has the Swahili origin meaning that translates to “people of the
moon”
 According to oral traditions, the nyamwezi are thought to have settled in central
western Tanganyika in the 17th century as fishermen and nomadic farmers due to poor
quality of soil in the area.
 In the 19th century, there were a number of nyamwezi kingdoms such as
Unyanyembe Ulyankhulu and Urambo.
 Unyanyembe was the most powereful since it controlled the trading city of Tabora
and had close connections with the Arabs of Zanzibar.

Political organization of the nyamwezi

 Chiefsdom were the highest units of the Nyamwezi political leadership.
 Ntemi was the highest title of chiefs.
 The chief maintained several fighters on a permanent basis for raiding other African
chiefs and for defence of the chiefdom.
 The Ruga Ruga mercenaries of the nguni diaspora were also hired for raids against other
kingdoms.

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 The chiefs imposed levies and taxes on Arabs trading with ujiji on lake Tanganyika and
other traders passing through their chiefdoms to Buganda.

Social organization
 The Nyamwezi lived in a compact villages.
 Marriage entailed payment of bride price.
 Polygamy was permitted through was limited in practice.
 Descent was through the female line.
 The Nyamwezi held initiation and other ceremonies
 They worshipped ancestors and recognized high gods and spirits.
 “Mfumi” was the diviner who could interpret situations for people and individuals.

Economic organization
 Elephant hunting for sale of ivory.
 Barter trade of goats and sheep i.e. 5 goats or sheep wereequated to one bull or two bulls
for one cow.
 Crop cultivation of maize, sorghum and millet.
 They traded in drums ladles, stools, storage boxes for grain, snuff boxes of horn, iron and
cloth.
 Practised ironworking and made bows arrows and spears.
 Practised slave trade and slavery.

4.2 Establishment of colonial rule in Africa.

The scramble and partition of Africa.

Increased European interest in Africa in the 1880s led to the rush for “scramble” and subsequent
partition (division into various parts) by Europeans powers.
Earlier, European group such as explorers, missionaries and traders only limited their activities
to exploration of a new lands, evangelism and trade.
However, by mid 1880s, Europe declared its official interest in the continent to take over its
administration.

Reasons for the scramble and partition of Africa

a) Economic reasons.
 Search for raw materials for European industries
 Search for markets for European manufactured goods.
 Desire by European entrepreneurs to invest excess capital.
 Need to protect European investments and traders in Africa.
 Reports by explorers, traders and missionaries on Africa wealth and economic
potentials
 Need to develop legitimate trade and replace slave trade.

b) Social/humanitarian reasons
 Christian missionaries wanted to spread Christianity.
 Humanitarians wanted to stop slave trade.

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 Explorers wanted to know more about new lands for adventure sake.
 Spread western education and culture.
 Desire to settle some population in Africa.

c) Political reasons
 Newly unified countries such as Germany and Italy wanted to acquire colonies in
Africa to show their prowess to the rest of the world.
 Prestige i.e. the more colonies a European power had the more power it exercised
over others.
 Some countries such Egypt and Kenya were of strategic significance i.e. Suez canal
and the open way to the Indian empire.
 The need for neutral grounds for exercises of military power and competing interest
between Germany and France in Europe.

Method used by Europeans to acquire colonies in Africa.

1. Signing of treaties and concessions.
2. Trickery/treachery i.e. confusing Africa leaders to sign treaties that they did not
understand.
3. Persuading African leaders to accept Europeans protection.
4. Purchase of African land and hence bringing such areas and people under European rule
e.g. the 40 miles coastal strip purchased by the Germans from the Sultan of Zanzibar.
5. Military conquest.
6. Use of chartered companies e.g. BSACO, GEACO, IBEACO.

The Berlin conference – November 1884 to February 1885

This was an international meeting of Europeans powers interested in acquiring colonies in Africa
that was called to map out strategies of partitioning Africa.
It was convened by Chancellor Bismarck of Germany in the city of Berlin and all European
powers were invited to attend including the united states of America.
It had two objectives namely;
a) To set out rules that were to govern the partition process.
b) To avert inevitable conflicts among European powers interested in acquiring colonies
in Africa.

Resolutions:

By the end of the conference, several resolutions were made including that;
a) Any European power acquiring colonies in Africa must stamp out slave trade.
b) Any European power interested in or occupying a colony or colonies in Africa must
notify others.
c) Any claim over a colony or colonies in Africa must be immediately followed by effective
occupation and elaborate administration.
d) The Congo free state was open to free trade.

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e) The Niger, Zambia and Congo rivers was declared free for navigation by all European
powers.
f) All missionaries, traders and explorers to be protected by the European administration in
colony.

Subsequently European powers partitioned Africa as here under indicated

Britain
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia (British), Botswana, Sudan,
Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, sierra Leone, Gambia.

France
Congo Brazzaville, Chad, French central Africa, Senegal ,Dahomey, (Benin ), Ivory coast
Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, French Somaliland, Madagascar

Germany
Cameroon Togo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanganyika

Portugal
Mozambique, Angola, Portuguese Guinea

Spain
Spanish guinea and Spanish morocco

Italy
Italia, Somaliland, Libya

Draw the map of Africa and show how Africa was partitioned among
European power after the Berlin conference.

African responses to the establishment of colonial rule

a) The Nandi

The Nandi is part of the highland Nilotes occupying the northern rift valley.
They engaged the British colonial administration in protracted struggle between 1895 and 1906
when the Kenya Uganda railway passed through their land while the British also embarked on
constructing several operational bases in country side.
The Nandi reacted by resisting the British occupation of their land for several reasons. Some
among them included;

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 Their pride and given the fact that they had experience several successes in raids against their
neighbors such as Luo, Abagusii, Maasai and Abaluhya.
 They hated the physical appearance of the white men including their way of dressing.
 The Nandi was well equipped for battle and had gained experience from their raiding
expedition since they had well trained warriors.
 The British elicited huge tracts of land to practice commercial agriculture for construction of
railway and trading caravans and build operational bases.
 The former Orkoiyot-Kimnyole had prophesized British invasion of Nandi land.
 The Nandi wanted to safeguard their independence.

The Nandi used a combination of tactics to resist the British for long time under Koitalel Samoei.
Apart from the guerilla warfare, they also enlisted their Kipsigis cousins to assist them fight the
British.
However the resistance was finally stopped when their Orkoiyot- Koitalel Samoei was murdered
by the British in 1905 in Nandi hills

b) Resistance of Menelik II of Ethiopia against the Italians.

 Menelik II (1844-1913) was the second last reigning emperor of Ethiopia.

 Earlier, European powers had decided the fate of Ethiopia at the Berlin conference that
Italy could take over Ethiopia as its colony.
 Subsequently, Italy expanded its presence in the red sea, an area that had become
important since the opening of the Suez canal in 1869
 With British support, Italy took over the control of the port city of Massawa in 1885 and
moved from there slowly inland leading to a number of clashes with locals which
culminated into the battle of Adowa.

 Italy’s expansion across Ethiopia was facilitated by devastation caused by rinderpest –an
infectious viral disease that killed up to 99% of the country’s livestock; while famine and
disease wiped out one third of the population between1888 and 1892.
 The Italians eventually signed the treaty of Wuchale with Menelik II in May 1889. The
treaty was written in Ahmanic and Italian.
 Menelik discovered that the Italian version effectively made Ethiopia Italy’s protectorate
in contrast to the Ahmanic version.
 On February 27th 1893, Menelik denounce the Wuchale treaty, while the Italians mounted
attacks from Jan.1895.
 The Ethiopians over powered them at Adowa on March 1st 1896.

c) Collaboration of Lewanika of Lozi

 The Lozi kingdom was founded in the 17th century and was situated in the modern day
Zambia that was known as Northern Rhodesia.
 In 1864, Lewinika conquered the Lozi from the Kololo who had initially conquered them
while fleeing away from the Shaka of Zulu instigated wars.

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 It was during Lewanika’s reign as king of the Lozi that Europeans began to move in and
claim large areas in Africa.
 Lewanika did not resist the British, but instead signed several agreements with them.

Reasons why Lewanika collaborated with the British

 To protect Lozi land from threatening Germans, Portuguese and Boers.

 To obtain British protection against internal enemies.
 To safeguard his position as the king of Lozi.
 To secure western education for his people.
 He was encouraged to collaborate by his friend Khama, King of the Ngwato, who had
already accepted British protection.
 Lewanika saw the futility of resisting a strong colonial power like Britian.
 Lewanika wanted the British to protect his community from attacks by other Africa
communities such as the Ndebele .
 He was also influenced by a British missionary known as coillard.
 He wanted to safeguard the economic structure of his people.
 He desired to promote trade between his people and Britain
Lewanika hence signed two treaties with the British south Africa company (BSACO)

The Lochner treaty-1890

Terms of treaty;
 BSACO was given mining rights over Barotseland except in certain traditional mines.
 The company was not to mine in areas inhabited and farmed by the Lozi.
 The company would pay Lewanika 2000 pounds per year.
 4% of the minerals mined would be given to the Lozi.
 Lewanika would be protected from external aggression.
 Lewnika would still remain a constitutional monarch but not an absolute ruler.
 The BSACO would send a British resident to the capital of the kingdom to champion
that activities of the company and advice Lewanika on foreign matters.
 The BASCO would build school and promote trade in his kingdom.

Through this treaty, Lewanika, gave up his kingdom to the BSACO.

On realizing his mistake he tried to have this treaty nullified but his request was ignored by the
High Commissioner in cape town.
Instead, major Corydon was sent as British resident in Loziland and signed another treaty with
him in 1900

The Corydon treaty of 1900

Terms of the treaty;
 Lewanika to end slavery and witchcraft in his kingdom.

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 BSACO to have administrative and judicial rights over white men in lewanika’s
territory.
 BSACO to have mining right over Balozi
 The company to provide education for lewanika’s people and put up telegraphic,
postal, transport and communication lines.
 Lewanika to be protected from external attacks.
 He was recognized as chief of the Barotse.
 Lewanika would receive 850 pourd per annum as stipend.
 The Lozi were guaranteed rights over game, iron working and tree cutting for canoe
building.
The above treaty dealt a final blow to Lewanika,since his power were reduced drastically and he
became a mere employee of the BSACO .
Barotseland was finally incorporated into Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia)- a British
protectorate.

d) Collaboration of the Lenana of Maasai

 The Maasai are Plains Nilotic speaking people inhabiting the plainS of the rift valley.
They are basically cattle keepers except for the kwavi section who practice mixed
farming.
 The Maasai were greatly feared especially by European explorers until the 19th
century when this history greatly changed.
 The death of the Laibon Mbatian, the spiritual leader of the Purko Maasai marked the
great turn of events as his two sons- Lenana and Sendeyo bitterly competed for the
Laibonship of the Maasai.
 In 1878, the Purko Maasai had split into two and Sendeyo moved with his followers
to Loita hills in northern Tanganyika while Lenana remained behind with the other
group in the Ngong and Naivasha regions.
 Weakened by the splits, Lenana decided to collaborate with the British who were
already in their land.

The other reasons for Lanana’s collaboration with British were

 The Maasai was weakened by numerous human and cattle diseases at the time of
British occupation e.g pleuro-pneumonia, cholera, smallpox and rinderpest.
 Natural calamities such as prolong drought and locust invasion which completely
grass leading to starvation and loss of large herds of cattle, goats and sheep.
 Severe famine resulting into deaths hence Lenana needed food for his people.
 Emergence of the Nandi as a strong colonial power that had adverse effects on the
Maasai economic and military power.
 Civil wars among the Maasai between 1850 and 1870.
 Lenana believed that the British would offer him the much needed military support
against Sendeyo.
 The Maasai feared facing off with the British after the Ewaso- Kedong massacre of
1895 during when by Scottish trader- Andrew dick.
 Lenana wanted to consolidate his position and that of the kingdom by collaborating
with the British.

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 The Maasai also wanted help from the British to get back their women and children
who had been left in the custody of the Agikuyu during the 1891 famine and whom
the Agikuyu were refusing to surrender back

Lenana hence sighed two agreements with brish in 1900 and 1904 in which;
 He was recognized as paramount chief of the Maasai in 1901.
 Massive land alienation was undertaken by the British and hence the Maasai were
confined to Laikipia and Ngong reserves that had been created.
 The maasai freedom to conduct rituals was greatly curtailed to 5 square miles grain
and cattle.
 The Maasai lost their independent and instead were hired as mercenaries against other
communities.

4.3 Colonial Administration in Africa

The British in Kenya.

 The head of British central government was the colonial secretary based in London.
 The Governor represented the colonial secretary in Kenya and was the absolute ruler
in the colony.
 There was an executive council appointed by the governor and the legislative council
to advice the governor on policies and make laws for the colony respectively.
 The colony was divided into provinces administered by provincial commissioners
who were the governors’ representatives.
 The provinces were divided into districts under District commissioners.
 The districts were further divided into divisions, overseen by District Officers.
 Locations, were administered by chiefs.
 Headmen were in charge of villages.
 All the administrators up to the District officers were British.
 Only chiefs and headmen were African appointees.

The French in Senegal

 The French used the policy of “assimilation’
 At the helm was the Minister of French colonies based in Paris responsible to the
national Assembly in Paris.
 Below him was the Governor General in charge of the Federation of French west
Africa comprising of 8 colonies based in Darka-Senegal.
 Under the Governor-General were Lieutenant Governors in charge of each 8
constituent colonies.
 There were four communies in Senegal namely; St. Louis, Goree, Rufusque and
Dakar in which considerable number of ordinary Africans had been assimilated.
 The constituent colonies/communes were further sub-divided into provinces called
“Cercles” administered by Commandant de Cercle.
 The cercles were further sub-divided into sub-divisions under Chef –de- sub-
division.

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 -The sub division were divided into cartons or locations administered by Chef –de-
village.
 Senegal was specifically considers as an overseas province of France and the
assimilation -Africans especially in the four communes elected their representatives
to the French chamber Deputies in Paris.
 Africans in the communes enjoyed full political rights just like the Frenchmen and
French citizenship was conferred up no them.
 For an African to achieve the “Assimile” status, he/she had to learn French language,
practice the French legal system, convert to Christianity and learn French
mannerisms.

Effects of colonial rules in Africa.

 Ethnic communities were broken up/ separated from each other as a result of partition
of Africa and subsequent imposition of various administrative systems.
 African traditional authority was lost as new administrative hierarchies were
introduced.
 Africa’s natural resources such as fertile land, forest/timber and minerals were
exploited.
 African culture was undermined/condemned.
 Colonial rule trained Africans on modern system of administration.
 Western type of education was introduced in Africa.
 Modern health care, transport and communication and other social services were
introduced.
 New cash crops and commercial agriculture was developed i.e. better farming
methods, use of fertilizers and pesticides to boost production/ improve yields.
 Colonial administration promoted the development of modern urban centers, that later
grew up into cities.

Tasks: Compare and contrast the British and French colonial systems of administration in
Africa.

4.4. Attainment of Independence in Kenya

Contributions of early political movements and associations in the struggle for independence in
Kenya

The struggle for political independence in Kenya started in the 1920s when several political
associations and movements were formed in succession.
These associations and movements had common grievances against colonial rule e.g.
 Abolition of poll and hut taxes.
 Abolition of the Kipande system.
 Return of African land.
 Better working conditions.
 Increased opportunities for Africans in Kenya.
 Lifting of the ban on Africans against growing coffee.
 The need to respect African culture.
 Election to the Legco on a common roll.

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 Release of detained Africans i.e. Harry Thuku.

 Granting of independence to Kenya.

Examples of early political; association were;

 Young kikuyu Association.
 Kikuyu Central Association.
 Young Kavirindo Association.
 East African Association.
 Ukamba Members Association.
 Coast African Association,
 Taita Hills Association.
 Kavirindo Tax Payers Welfare Association.

Contributions of early political associations in the struggle for independence in Kenya.

 Created political awareness among the African people.
 Channeled grievances of Africas to the colonial government.
 Fought for better terms and conditions of service for African workers.
 Highlighted African problems and plight to the international community.
 Laid the foundation for the formation of stronger national political movements.

Other early political movements included independent schools churches and trade unions,
which contributed to the struggle for independence in the various ways.
 Provided fora for meeting and strategizing by Africans.
 They were widespread in the rural areas and hence reached out to many people.
 Provided moral support to those were arrested.
Events leading to the attainment of independence in Kenya.

1. Formation of the Kenya African Study Union (KASU) in 1944 to assist Eliud Mathu
coordinate the activities in the Legco and press for more African representation.
2. Formation of the Kenya Africa Union (KAU) in 1946 to unite African people in
Kenya and fight for equal rights in democratic processes especially elections.
3. Declaration of state of emergency in Kenya by the colonial government on 20th
October 1952 and arrest and detention of KAU leaders led by Jomo Kenyatta .
4. Eruption of Mau Mau war of independence.
5. Formation of the Kenya Africna National union (KANU)in March 1960, the Kenya
Africa Democratic Union (KADU)in June 1960 and later the African Peoples’ Party
(APP).
6. The holding of the 1st Lancaster house conference in London convened by sir Ian
Macleod and the 2nd Lancaster house conference.
7. The holding of independence elections in May 1963 in which KANU won against
KADU.
8. The granting of Kenya Internal self government on 1st June 1963 (Madaraka).
9. The granting of Kenya independence on 12th December 1963.
10. The declaration of Kenya as a Republic on 12th December 1964.

4.5 Regional cooperations

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The East African Community. (EAC)

 The EAC was first formed in 1967 by the three East African countries- Kenya ,Uganda
and Tanzania.
 However, due differences among the presidents of the three East African countries , it
collapsed in 1977.
 It was however revived in July 2000 by presidents D.T. Moi of Kenya, Y.K Museveni of
Uganda and B.W. Mkapa of Tanzania.
 Apart from the three East African countries of Kenya Uganda and Tanzania , Rwanda ,
Burundi joined in 2007 and South Sudan has also since been admitted.
 The democratic republic of Congo has also applied to be co-opted as a member

Function of East African Community

- Creation of sustainance of a common market for free movement of people, labor, goods,
services and technology.
- Maintaining a monetary union through standardization of currency.
- Formation of a political union.
- Formulation of policies and programmers aimed at widening cooperation among the
member states in different fields for mutual benefit.
- Promotion of sustainable and balanced growth among members.
- Achievement of equitable development and higher standards of living for citizens of
members states.
- Promotion of peace, security and stability of the member states.

Achievements of East African community

 The organization has managed to harmonize monetary and fiscal policies in budgeting
preparation, presentation and implementation.
 Development of joint transport and communication projects e.g. roads, railway line sports
and pipelines.
 Cooperation in fields of education, research and technology transfer.
 Joint promotion of tourism.
 Maintenance of regional peace and security.
 Promotion of agriculture, fisheries and natural resources.

Challenges facing the east African community

 Domestication of the east Africa treaty and other protocols contained in the various
agreements.
 Sensitizing the citizen in East Africa on the community objectives, protocols and
programmes.
 The need for each of the member states to significantly cede some sovereignty in order to
accommodate the community aspirations.
 Economic imbalance that existed before the revival of the community in terms of
different levels of economic development in member states, currency strength and natural
resources endowments.

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The common market for eastern and southern Africa (COMESA.

COMESA was formed by countries in East and Southern Africa in 1981.

It was initially referred to as Preferential Trade Areas until 1994.

 Members countries include;

 Kenya.
 Uganda .
 Rwanda.
 Burundi.
 Democratic republic of Congo.
 Sudan.
 Ethiopia.
 Eritrea.
 Djibouti.
 Egypt.
 Libya.
 Seychelles.
 Comoros.
 Malawi.
 Angola.
 Lesotho.
 Zambia.
 Zimbabwe.
 Swaziland.
 Madagascar.
 Mauritius.
 Somalia.

Function of COMESA
 Promotion of trade among the members states.
 Harmonize and finally remove taxes (customs and duties) on goods from member
states.
 Creation of common market for goods produced within the members states.
 Develop and promote transport and communication, infrastructure within and among
the member-states.
 Establish and promote a common bank to promote economic and social development.
 Reduce unnecessary competition among member states.

Achievements of the common market for eastern and southern Africa (COMESA)
 It has provided its members a wider, harmonized and competitive market for internal
and external trade.
 It has established harmonized monetary, banking and finance policies in the region.
 It has improved the administration of transport and communication to ease movement
of goods, people and services.

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 It has ensured cooperation in the promotion of peace, security and stability among
member states.

Challenges that have faced the common market for eastern and southern Africa.
 Poor infrastructure in the member states.
 Unfavorable business environments among members states.
 Limited technology and its application in business in member countries.
 Low domestic demand for goods and services in some member states due to poverty.
 Insecurity and political instability in some member states.

Task; Discuss the role of regional organizations in identifying solutions to global challenges.

4.6 Citizenship.
A citizen is a person/individual who is a bonafide member of particular country and has full
rights and privileges and benefits in that country.

Ways of obtaining citizenship in Kenya.

a) By birth
- Any child/person born in or outside Kenya acquires citizenship provided that one of
his/her parents is a Kenyan citizen at the time of his/her birth.
- Similarly, a child found in Kenya who is or appears to be less than eight years of age and
whose nationality and parentage are not known is presumed to be a citizen by birth.
- A person who is a Kenyan citizen by birth and who has ceased to be a Kenyan citizen
because the person acquired the citizenship of another country is enlisted on application
to regain citizenship.

b) Dual citizenship

- A citizen by birth does not lose citizenship by acquiring citizenship of another country.
- Section 8(3) of the Kenya citizenship and immigration act 2011provides that every dual
citizen shall disclose his/her other citizenship in the prescribed manner within three
months of becoming a dual citizen.

c) Registration

 A person who has been married to a citizen for a period of at least seven years is
entitled on application to be registered as citizen.
 A person who has been a lawful resident in Kenya for a continuous period of at least
seven years and who satisfies the conditions prescribed by an act of parliament may
apply to be a registered citizen.
 A child who is not a citizen but is adopted by a citizen is entitled application to be a
registered citizen.
Circumstances under which one can lose citizenship of Kenya.
 Acquiring citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material
facts.
 Involvement in treasonable acts e.g. coup de tat and display of non-patriotism.

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 Involvement in subversive activities that threaten national unity and security.

 Non-renewal of citizenship upon expiry.
 Disloyalty or aiding an enemy during war.
 If a person is convicted of an offense and sentenced within five years after
registration.
 The nationality or parentage of the person becomes known and reveals that the person
was a citizen of another country.
 The age of the person becomes known and reveals that the person was older than
eight years at the time he/she was found in Kenya.

Elements of a good citizenship.

 Respect for human rights including the right to life and private property.
 Law abiding.
 Respect of symbols of national unity such as national anthem, national flag,court of
arms, presidency and currency.
 Patriotism/love for one’s country.
 Loyalty.
 Commitment to work.
 Upholding family values.
 Positive altitudes and values.
 Good use of leisure.

Tasks: Use digital content to identify articles in the constitution on citizenship in Kenya.

4.7 Democracy

Democracy refers to a system of government in which people participate in the affairs of the
state either directly or indirectly.
This involves election of representatives and having considerable say in the management of the
state.
Democracy can therefore be exercised directly such as through;
 Referendum.
 Recall.
 Plebiscite.
 Initiative.

Or indirectly through;
- Presidential.
- Parliamentary. elections
- Civic.
- Gubernational.

Roles of citizen in a democracy.

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 Participation in election of representatives.

 Participation in public affairs.
 Giving views in public hearings.
 Respect of the law.
 Prompt remission of taxes
 Participation in economic development/wealth creation.
 Promotion of peaceful settlement of disputes/dialogue.
 Respect for human rights.
 Acquaintance with government policies and offering constructive criticism.

Benefits of democracy
 Enhance equality and equity.
 Promotes the respect of human rights.
 Ensure the practice of the rule of law.
 Ensures transparency and accountability.
 Encourages the advancement of fundamental freedoms.
 Promotes peace and harmony in society.

Tasks:
1. Identify democratic processes in the college and discuss how they can be improved
on.
2. Discuss procedures that can be used to guide election of pupils’ government in
schools.

4.8 Human Rights

Human rights are those natural inalienable legal entitlements of persons of all cadres and that can
neither be given to them nor taken away from them.
The United Nations organization charter ratified of 1945 contains the universal declaration of
human rights, categorized into rights and freedoms.
Signatories to this charter like Kenya have recognized and incorporated these rights and freedom
into their constitutions.
Such rights and freedom include;
 Right to life.
 Right to liberty and personal security.
 Right to own property.
 Right to marry and form a family.
 Right to secure a means of livelihood.

The above rights are categorized under political, economic and social rights.

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The UN charter also contains the following freedoms.

 Freedom of conscience.
 Freedom of expression.
 Freedom association and assembly.
 Freedom of movement.
 Freedom from discrimination.
 Freedom from torture.
 Freedom from arbitrary search and entry.
 Freedom from slavery and servitude.
 Freedom of worship.

Rights of children

- Children rights are contained in the United Nations Convention on the right of the
child that were ratified by the UN general assembly in 1989 and enforced in 1990.
- In Kenya, child rights were domesticated through an act of parliament- children Act
2003.
- Under this legal provision, the right of child include;

1. Right to protection
2. Right to registration
3. Right to dignity
4. Right to good health care
5. Right to education
6. Right to protection from exploitation
7. Protection from drugs and substances abuse
8. Right to leisure
9. Right to protection of children charged with offences.

Tasks:
1. Identify harmful practices that abuse the rights of children.
2. Discus possible ways of eradicating harmful cultural practices in society.
3. Discuss how clubs and societies can be used to champion the responsibilities of
citizens in ensuring respect of human rights.
4. Discuss the various ways in which the rights of children can be promoted in school.

4.9 Law, Peace and Conflict Resolution

 Law can be defined as an act, code, canon, command/commandment, edict, precept,
principle, statute that regulates the conduct of the individual in respect of themselves,
groups, organizations, the state, other states or the general access to or use of
resources.

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 Most laws are enshrined in the constitutions of such group/states and are also found in
the subsidiary legislations such as acts of parliament.

Source of Kenyan law

 The constitution.
 Acts of parliament.
 The common law (British law)
 Customary law.
 Religion
 Judgment by renowned judges/case law
 Writing of established scholar/publicists

Peace
Refers to a situation of harmonious co-existence or lack of conflict or acrimony in society.

Factors that promote peace in the community

- Rule of law
- Fairness
- Respect of human rights
- Dialogue
- Respect of other peoples’ opinions/views
- Equal/equitable distribution of resources
- Games and sports.

Conflict resolution.
The term conflict refers to a situation in which people or group are involved in serious
disagreement or disputes.
Conflict resolution refers to the process of settling disputes when they occur.
- Conflicts occur between or among individuals or groups and when this happens,
means of solving them have to be sought.

Causes of conflicts in society

a) Economic issues- economics refer to industries and accumulation of wealth.

Economic conflicts occur when a person or a number of parties have a dispute(s) on matters that
affect the development of trade, industry, labor and wealth e.g. disputes between employees and
employers.

b) Social issues- these refer to a dispute that occur between individuals in society e.g. family
members, clan, and community.
c) Political issues- include conflicts between/among the politicians, political parties or
ideologies on political matters amongst individuals.

Levels of conflicts

- Individuals verses individuals.

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- Group vs group conflicts.

- Individual vs state.
- Group vs state.
- State vs state.

Peaceful ways/methods of resolving conflicts in society.

1. Negotiation:
Refers to discussion between/among people who are trying to reach an agreement over a dispute.
It involves;
 Fact finding.
 Discussion
 Reading an agreement.

2. Arbitration:
Involves solution of a dispute by a neutral person.
- Both parties involved in the dispute should be able to present their cases as they
know it.
- After listening to the complainant’s side of the story, the arbitrator should allow
the respondent to respond and probably ask questions.
- The arbitration should consider the nature of the complaints and responses and
make an independent decision and make both parties understand the basis of the
decision.

3. Mediation:
Refers to a situation where a person who is not involved in a dispute tries to help two conflicting
groups or individuals reach an amicable agreement.
Parties involved must be willing to listen and come up with a view of helping them reach a
settlement.
They may nominate representatives to represent them find a solution to the stalemate.
Steps towards mediation

 The mediator should explain the rules.

 None of the parties should interrupt each other.
 Each party should identify the facts.
 Solutions are then suggested by the mediator and the parties invited to give their opinions
on the proposed solutions.
 An agreement is then written down and each of parties must be committed to it.

Task:
Brainstorm on and write a report on the various peaceful methods of resolving conflicts in
your community.

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STRAND 5: GOVERNMENT OF KENYA

5.1. The Constitution of Kenya

A constitution is a document or a body of principles/ rules on how an organization, country or

state is to be governed.
The independence constitution of Kenya underwent several amendments until it was repealed in
2010.

Constitutional amendments in Kenya from 1963 to 2010

Amendment Act – November 1964.

 Made the president head of the state and government as well as commander- in- chief of
the armed forces.
 It also empowered the president to appoint and dismiss the vice president and cabinet
ministers without consultation.
 Another amendment gave the president power to appoint the chief justice and judges.

Amendment Act 1965

 Restored back to the central government, the power that the regional governments had
over the police and public service.
 Changed the parliamentary majority required for the approval of declaration of the state
of emergency from 65% to simple majority.
 It also altered the title of the Supreme Court back to the court of appeal.

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Amendment Act 1966.

 Provided that a member of parliament could lose his/her seat upon being imprisoned for a
term exceeding six months or due to continual absence from the house sittings.
 Another amendment gave the president power to create and abolish public offices.
 A member of parliament had to resign or lose his/her seal if he/she defected from the
political party that had sponsored him/her to parliament.
 The president was also given powers to detain citizens without trial.

Amendment Act 1967.

 It merged the House of Representatives and Senate to make the National Assembly.
 Amendments act 1969
 Gave the president powers to appoint all members of electoral commission.

Amendment act 1974

Reduce the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years.

Lowered the age at which one was qualified to be elected president from 40 to 35 years.
Made Kiswahili the official language in the national assembly.

Amendment Act 1976.

Made both Kiswahili and English the official languages of the National Assembly.

Amendment Act 1982.

Made the Kenya African National Union –KANU the only legal political party in Kenya.

Amendment Act 1991.

Repealed section 2A of the constitution and reintroduced multi-party democracy.

Amendment Act 1991

Provided that in addition to garnering majority votes, a candidate had to obtain at least 25% of
votes cast in at least five out of eight provinces to be declared president.

The Inter- Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG) constitutional amendments 1997:

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 Introduced section 1A that declared Kenya a multi-party democratic state.

 Provided that the winning presidential candidate be sworn in immediately and to form
government.
 Members to be nominated to parliament to be recommended by parliamentary political
parties according to their proportion of representation.
 Increased the number of electoral commissioners to 21.

Constitution of Kenya Review Act 1998.

Established the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) tasked with collecting
views from Kenyans to facilitate the writing of a new constitution.

Constitution of Kenya Review Act 2008

Set out the procedures for adoption of the new constitution with four main organs- namely;

 Committee of experts
 Parliamentary committee
 National assembly
 The people of Kenya through a referendum.
 The promulgation of the constitution of Kenya

The Architecture/structure of the constitution of Kenya 2010

1. Sovereignty of the people of Kenya and supremacy of the constitution.

2. The republic
3. Citizenship
4. The bill of rights
5. Land and environment
6. Leadership and integrity
7. Representation of the people
8. Legislation
9. Executive
10. Judiciary
11. Devolved government
12. Public finance
13. Public service
14. National security
15. Commissions and independent offices
16. Amendment of the constitution
17. General provisions
18. Transitional and consequential provisions
19. Schedules

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Tasks: Create a poster on the chapters of the constitution to promote citizenship and
leadership competency.

5.2 The electoral process in Kenya.

Article 88(1) of the constitution of Kenya provides for the establishment of the Independent
Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya.
The commission under article 88(4) is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda, and
elections to any elective body or office established by the constitution and any other elections
prescribe by an act of parliament.

Composition of the IEBC

Commission Chairperson

Commission Vice chairperson

Commissioner (7)

Commission Chief Executive Officer

Section managers/directors

Regional elections coordinators

Constituency elections coordinators

Temporary hired election staff

The role of the IEBC in the management of elections in Kenya.

 Continuous registration of eligible citizens as voters.

 Regular revision of the voters roll.
 Delimitation of constituency and wards.

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 Reviews of names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not of less than eight
years and not more than twelve years at least twelve months before a general election of
members of parliament.
 Regulation of the process by which parties nominate candidates for election.
 Settlement of disputes including disputes arising from nomination but excluding election
petitions and disputes subsequence to declaration of results of elections.
 Procuring elections materials
 Identifying and gazetting polling stations
 Hiring and remuneration of election officials.
 Facilitating voter education
 Facilitating of observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections
 Registration of candidates for elections
 Regulating of the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or
party in respect of any election.
 Development of code of conduct for a candidates and parties contesting in an election.
 Monitoring of compliance with legislation required on nomination of candidates by
political parties.
 Supervision of the casting of voters
 Declaration of the results of an election and issuance of certificates of election to the
winners

Tasks:
1. In your groups, analyze the voting process in Kenya
2. Role play the voting process in Kenya
3. Develop a poster on the voting process in Kenya using locally available materials

5.3. Composition and function of the national government in Kenya.

The National government is comprised of three arms that are complimentary to each other
namely:
The Legislature
The Executive
The Judiciary

The legislature/Parliament.
Article 93(1) of the constitution states that there is established a parliament of Kenya, which
shall consist of the national assembly and senate.
The National Assembly consists of;

 290 members, each elected by registered voters of single member constituencies.

 47 women each elected by registered voters of the countries.
 12 members nominated by parliamentary political parties according to their proportion of
members of the national assembly to represent special interest including the youth, person
with disability and workers.
 The speaker who is an officio-members

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The Senate consists of;

 47 senators elected to represent each other of the 47 countries in the senate.
 One third of the elected senators nominated as woman or men by various political parties
represented in Senate according to the proportion to ensure the gender rule.
 Two members, being one man and one woman representing the youth.
 Two members being one man and one woman representing persons with disabilities.
 The Speaker who is an ex-officio member.

Functions of parliament.

1. Legislation- this is the process by which new laws are made, existing ones either amended or
repealed through an elaborate process that includes.

 1st reading
 2nd reading
 Committee stage
 Report stage
 3rd reading
 Presidential Assent
 Gazettment.

2. Financial control- the Senate approves the allocation of national among counties and
exercises oversight over revenue allocated to country governments
3. Debating on national issues
4. Serves as the link between the people and government.
5. Checks the performance and conduct of the President, Deputy President and other state
officers and may vote to censure them or pass a resolution that require that they leave
office.
6. Offer criticism to the government whenever it fails to deliver on its mandate to the
citizens
7. Protects national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and may vote to
declare war on another country or approve state of emergency.
8. Sets up special investigative committees to unravel matters of national concern.
9. Approves estimates of revenue and expenditure for the national and county governments
every financial year.
10. Vets nominates to constitutional offices.
11. Elects the speaker and deputy speaker

The executive

This is the branch/arm of government that implements the broad framework of legislations made
by parliament
It comprises of;

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 The President
 The Deputy president
 14-22 cabinet secretary
 The Attorney General
 Principal Secretaries
 Senior Civil servants
 The Civil servants

The cabinet is the arm of the executive that is charged with the responsibility of developing
government policies
It does this in addition to;

 Implementing government policies

 Discussing various issues of national and international significant and finding solutions.
 Defending all government policies and programs
 Advising the President.
 Gives satisfactory answers/reports to the national assembly
 Performs all other duties delegated by President.

The judiciary
This is the arm of the government that interprets the law and administers justice.
It is headed by chief justice who is also the president of the Supreme Court.
The judiciary is run through a system of courts in a hierarchical arrangement as follows;

Supreme court of Kenya

Court of appeal superior courts

High court

Chief magistrate court

Principal magistrate court subordinate courts

Resident magistrate court

District magistrate/kadhi’s court

Apart from the system of courts, there are special courts and tribunals set up for the
administration of justice within specific category of persons e.g.

 Rent restriction tribunal

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 Court martials
 Commission of enquiry

Functions of judiciary
 Arbitrates disputes between two or among more than two parties.
 Interprets and applies the law.
 Protects the rights of all citizens by administering justice
 Advises parties, individuals and government on the law.

The Independence of the Judiciary

 This refers to the process of enabling/empowering the judiciary to perform its work
without influence or interference by government or individuals.
 It is ensured through the following provisions;-
 No person can by force use the law courts for his or her selfish interests.
 No judge or magistrate can lose his/her position unless advised by a tribunal formed to
investigate his/her conduct.
 The judiciary is free to make legal decisions without fear of the executive arm of
government
 No judge or magistrate can be sued in a civil court for an act done or ordered done while
discharging his/her duties.
 Judges/magistrates are mandated to punish persons for contempt of court irrespective of
who they are/ their position in society.
 The other two arms of government are not allowed to debate about cases pending in
court.

Tasks;
1. Draw and display the structure of national government.
2. Discuss the types of elections in Kenya.
3. Describe conditions necessary for a parliamentary candidates in Kenya.
4. Brainstorm on role of civil servants in national development
5. Identify the functions of the supreme court and the high court of Kenya

Sources of national government revenue and types of expenditures.

The national government of Kenya derives its revenue from the following sources.
 Direct taxes such as pay as you earn (PAYE)
 Indirect taxes e.g. value added tax (VAT)
 Import and export duties
 Court fines
 Sale of government shares in public enterprises
 Loans and grants from the development partners and international financial institutions
 Profits from parastatals
 Fees chargeable from public services e.g. huduma centers.

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This revenue is spend through/on;

 Capital/development projects such as construction of roads, electricity supply,railways,
ports, dams etc.
 Recurrent nature services such as education, health, cash transfers security etc.

Task:
Brainstorm on the sources of government revenue.

Composition and functions of Country Government in Kenya

Article 176(1) and 2 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that there shall be a country
government in each county consisting of a county assembly and county executive and a that
every country government shall decentralize its functions and the provision of services to the
extent that it is efficient and practicable to do so.

Task: Examine the objectives and principles of devolution in Kenya.

The county assembly

Consists of;
 Members elected by registered voters in each ward.
 Members nominated to ensure gender equity in the assembly.
 Members nominated to represent the marginalized and persons with disabilities.
 The assembly speaker

The main function of the country assembly is to legislate laws for the country among other
functions.

The County Executive.

Consists of;
 County Governor
 Deputy county Governor
 Country executive committee members appointed by the Governor and approved by the
county assembly.
Functions of county governments
 Development of agriculture and fisheries
 Provision of health services
 Promotion of cultural activities
 Trade development and regulation
 Provision and regulation of physical planning and development services
 Regulation of county public transport
 Development of public amenities and entertainment.
 Regulation of pre-primary education, village , polytechnics, home craft centers and
child care facilities
 Provision of county public works and services

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 Implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and

environmental conservation.

Tasks;
1. Discuss sources of county government revenue and expenditure
2. Design a poster showing the structure of the country government and display in class.

National unity

National unity refers to harmonious co-existence of citizens of a nation.

It may also refer to as cohesion of various segments and persons in a nation/country.

Factors that promote national unity.

a) The constitution- that has created a unitary state and further protects Kenyans from
discrimination on grounds of race, place of birth/origins, community or creed.
b) Education- similar curriculum and learning environments fosters unity among
learners.
c) Equitable distribution of resources at both national and county government levels
fosters unity.
d) Socio-economic interaction such as inter-community marriages, games, sports and
working together create cohesion among nationals.
e) National languages of English and Kiswahili enables citizens to communicate freely
and exchange ideas.
f) Common currency fosters trade and free interaction of citizens.
g) The presidency- Kenyans popularly elect a president who represent all citizens.

Symbols of national unity

1. National days (Madaraka, Mashujaa and Jamhuri).
2. The national flag
3. The coat of arms
4. The national anthem
5. Loyalty pledge
6. Public seal
7. The presidency
8. Parliament.

Factors that limit national unity.

 Religious conflicts
 Tribalism
 Racism
 Political party differences

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 Intolerant ideologies
 Greed and corruption
 Nepotism
 Ignorance
 Poverty

Tasks;
1. Assemble, study and draw pictures of symbols of national unity in Kenya
2. Identify national days in Kenya and discuss the significance of each one of them.
3. Compose songs /poems on the importance of national symbols and days
4. Demonstrate in class, national unity

5.6 National Security

National security organs in Kenya

National security organs in Kenya include;

a) The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF)

b) National security Intelligence Service (NSIS)
c) The National Police Service

a) The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF)

- Has three formations namely;

 The army
 Air force
 Navy
The main function of the Kenya defense forces is to defend the country against perceived or
real external aggression/attacks

In addition they also perform the following functions

 They participate in public works such as construction of dams, bridges, access roads
and conservation of the environment.
 Distribute relief and humanitarian aid in disaster areas.
 Reinforce the work of the police in rescue operations in emergency situations and
may provide specialized equipment such as fire-fighting engines.
 Mount parade/guards of honor to visiting dignitaries.
 Entertain the public/citizens and other visitors during national celebrations

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The National Police Service

The main role of the National Police Service is the maintenance of law and order.
The national police service has the following departments;
 Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
 Regular Police
 General Service Unit
 Administration Police
 International Police (Interpol)
 Anti-narcotics Department
 Anti-Terrorism Police
 Anti-Stock theft unit
 Anti-banking fraud unit
 Police reservists

Functions of the National Police Service

 Detection and prevention of crime.

 Traffic control and regulation
 Provision of security to very important persons, (VIPs), institutions and vital installations.
 Neutralizing civil disorder.
 Assisting administrators of the national government in administering counties, sub
countries and locations
 Securing the custody of suspects to be charged or already charged in courts of law on a
temporary basis.

National security intelligences service (NSIS)

This is a disciplined civilian agency of government established under article 242 of the
Constitution of Kenya 2010, responsible for security intelligences and counter intelligence.

Functions of the National Security Intelligence Service

 Gathering, collecting, analyzing and transmission/sharing of security intelligence

information with relevant agencies of government.
 Detection/identification of threats or potential threats to national security.
 Advising the president and government on any threat or potential threat to national
security.
 Safeguarding and promoting a national interests within and outside Kenya.
 Gathering, evaluating and transmitting departmental intelligence at the request of any
state department organ, agency or public entity.
 Safeguarding information systems and processes within state department and agencies
 Supporting and aiding law enforcement agencies in detecting and preventing serious
crimes and other threats to national security.

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Task: Assess the challenges faced by the national security organs in Kenya.

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