Social-Economic Relations Between Nubians And The Ameru Of Meru County; 1925-2014

ABSTRACT

Relations between communities in Kenya have been at the center stage of political, social and economic debate, and the Nubians have not been an exception. Nubian community landed in various parts of Africa during the colonial period. In 1900s, many of the Nubians came into East Africa as British soldiers under the command of Fredrick Lugard. In East Africa, majority settled in Uganda and Kenya. In Kenya, the Nubians first settled mainly in Kibera, from where they dispersed to other regions in Kenya. This study focused on the Nubians who settled in Meru County in the period 1925 2014 and it examined the migration, dispersal and settlement of the Nubians in Meru County. The main objectives of the study were; to trace the dispersal and settlement of the Nubians in Meru County in the period 1925 to 1963, examine the socio economic relations between the Nubians and the Ameru of Meru County from 1964 to 1978, investigate the changing socio economic relations between the Nubians and the Ameru in the period 1979 2002 and interrogate the dynamics in the socio economic relations between the Nubians and the Ameru of Meru County in the period 2003 to 2014. The study was qualitative in nature and historical research design was used to provide chronology of the relations between the Nubians and the Ameru as they unfolded. The study was guided by social network theory and resilience theory. The study was carried out in Meru County and more specifically in Mjini slums. The population sample comprised of Nubians and the Ameru of Meru county aged 18 years and above. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the population sample. The researcher used both primary and secondary data. The findings indicated that Nubians are a minority group in Kenya and they originated from South Sudan, but moved to East Africa and more specifically in Meru as KAR soldiers. It was also established that once in Meru; the Nubians settled around Meru hospital and formed Nubian villages, which are referred to as Mjini slum, Kibra Ndovu, and Salama. It was further established that settling in Meru led to increased interaction between the Nubians and the Ameru through cultural exchange. It was also apparent that social, economic and political factors led to the changing relations between the Nubians and the Ameru. The findings also indicated that Nubian Ameru relationship had certain implications such as political discrimination and assimilation of the Nubians into the Ameru culture. The study is significant because it helps to identify the contribution of the Nubians towards Kenya’s cultural heritage. It also enriches the historiography of ethnic interaction not only in Kenya but also globally. The study concluded that the interaction between the two communities has led to the assimilation of the Nubians and the marginalization of the Nubians and this threatens the future existence of the Nubians in Meru County. From the study, it was recommended that the government should look for a way of tapping manpower of Nubians in the social, economic and political development in Kenya. Additionally there is need of establishment of a cultural center so as to preserve the rich and beautiful Nubian culture to avoid its extinction