Indigenous Knowledge and Livestock Economy: A Case of Keiyo Community of Kenya, 1850-1895

Kemboi Cherop; Paulo K. Koech

doi:10.18535/sshj.v8i11.1462

Abstract

This paper examines the intricate relationship between indigenous knowledge and ecological management practices of the Keiyo community of Kenya in the pre-colonial times, with a focus on how they managed their livestock economy and natural resources sustainably. While there has been some research on the Keiyo and their pastoral practices, most of the studies are often generalized or integrated into the broader Keiyo agricultural studies. Consequently, Keiyo's adaptation to their ecology in livestock production has not been sufficiently analyzed, especially in terms of how they managed their livestock economy and natural resources sustainably. This study therefore, focuses on how the Keiyo people leveraged their ecological indigenous knowledge to effectively manage and sustain their livestock economy within their unique ecological setting. This exploration emphasizes the resilience and sustainability of Keiyo’s traditional livestock practices amidst ecological challenges. Guided by Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) theory, this study employed purposive and snowballing sampling techniques to select 26 key informants. Data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources, with primary data derived from field interviews and secondary data drawn from electronically stored materials on the internet, and written sources such as articles, theses, journals, books and Seminar papers. Using a historical research design, the study conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The study established that the Keiyo developed and applied sophisticated indigenous knowledge systems to manage their livestock economy and ecological resources sustainably. This finding presents valuable insight into sustainable livestock economy that could inform modern approaches to resource management, especially within the context of climate change.

Keywords

EFL teacherse-learninglearning management systems (LMS)Moodle Activitiesperspectives

References

Benjamin Chepkon’ga, Oral interview, 24th February 2022, Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Chang’ach, J. K. (2016). “Household Livelihood Strategies among the Keiyo in Kenya”. US-China Education Review B. 6(1): 40-54.Google Scholar ↗
Chebet, S., and Dietz, T. (2000). Climbing the Cliff: A history of the Keiyo. Kijabe: KijabeGoogle Scholar ↗
Chebii, Z.K. (2018). “Relationship Between Cattle Rustling and Development: A Case Study of Tot and Tunyo Divisions of Elgeyo Marakwet County; Kenya: 1963 To 2012.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS). 23 (07), 13-19.Google Scholar ↗
Cherop, C. K. (2019). ‘A History of Food Security Mechanism among the Marakwet, Kenya, c. 1850-2000’. M.A. Thesis. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.Google Scholar ↗
Cherop, C. K. (2024). ‘Ecological Change and Food Security in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, 1850-2013’. PhD. Thesis. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.Google Scholar ↗
Cherop, K. C. (2020). “The Role of Traditional Knowledge on Food Security: A Case of the Marakwet in Arror Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya c.1800-1895”. International Journals of Recent Innovations in Academic Research.4(11,8-19).Google Scholar ↗
Chesang, I. C. (1973). “The Superstructure of Semi-Pastoral Keiyo”. B. A. Dissertation. University of Dar es salaam.Google Scholar ↗
Cheserek, G., Omondi, P. & Odenyo, V. (2012). Nature and Causes of Cattle Rustling among some Pastoral Communities in Kenya. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS), 173-179.Google Scholar ↗
Christoper Chebii, Oral interview, 7th July 2022, Kapchemutwa, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp-209-240). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
Donna, B. (2013). Qualitative Interviews; When Enough is Enough. Qualitative Market Research: Retrieved from www.researchbydesign.com.au. On 17th January 2022.Google Scholar ↗
Egeru A (2012) Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Weather Change adaptation: A Case Study of the Teso Sub-region, Eastern Uganda. Indian Journal Traditional Knowledge 11, 217–224.Google Scholar ↗
Gakuru, C. C. (2006). Remodeling Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge: Nairobi: Kenya.Google Scholar ↗
GOK. (2013). Elgeyo Marakwet County Integrated Development Plan, Available at: http://www.elgeyomarakwet.go.ke/Publications/EMC_CIDP.pdf.Google Scholar ↗
John C. Ruto, Oral interview, 3rd May 2022, Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Kandagor, D. R. (2005). Rethinking Pastoralism and African Development: A Case Study of The Horn of Africa. Department of History, Egerton University.Google Scholar ↗
Kaprom, T. P. (2013). Effects of Cattle Rustling on Economic Development: A Case of Masol Location, West Pokot County. M.A. Thesis. University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) (2019). Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) of 2019. Retrieved from www.knbs.or.ke. on 24 may, 2022.Google Scholar ↗
Kipkorir, B.E. (1973). The Marakwet of Kenya: A Preliminary Survey. Nairobi: East African Education Press.Google Scholar ↗
Kizito, L. M. (1998). “Impact of Economic Activities on the Ecology of the Isukha and Idakho Areas of Western Kenya, c.1850 to 1945”. M.A. Thesis. Kenyatta University.Google Scholar ↗
Kop Maiyo, Oral interview, 24th February 2022, Kabulwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Little, M. A. and P. W. Leslie. (1999). Turkana herders of the dry savanna: ecology and biobehavioral response of nomads to an uncertain environment. New York.Oxford University Press. London and Sterling, CA: Earthscan Publications.Google Scholar ↗
Michael Tuitoek, Oral interview, 7th February 2022, Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Miller, D. (2012). Recommended sample size table to achieve data saturation. In: Donna Bonde. Qualitative Interviews; When Enough is Enough. Qualitative Market Research. www.researchbydesign.com.au. ISBN 978-09-9925065-2-0.Google Scholar ↗
Murkomen, M.K. (2015). The Impact of Policing Strategies in Combating Cattle Rustling in Tot Division, Marakwet District. SSN (Paper)2224-5766 ISSN. 5, (10), 2015.Google Scholar ↗
Mwanzi, H. A. (1977). A History of the Kipsigis. Nairobi: EABL.Google Scholar ↗
Mzee Barar, Oral interview, 12th February 2022, Kapkoi, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Nangulu, A. K. (2009). "Food Security and Coping Mechanisms in Marginal Areas”. African Studies Collection. 15:1-275.Google Scholar ↗
Rigby, G. (1985). Persistent Pastoralist: Nomadic Societies in Transition. London: Zed Book Ltd.Google Scholar ↗
Rollinson, D.H.L. (1953). Cattle Earth Licks with some Observation in Lango. Uganda Journal.17 (2), 167-172.Google Scholar ↗
Sindiga, I. (1981). “European Perceptions in Degrading Maasai Ecology”. M.A. Thesis. Ohio University.Google Scholar ↗
Smith, T.L. (1999). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. New Zealand. Zed Books.Google Scholar ↗
Tarus, I. (1994). “The Keiyo of Kenya during the Early Colonial Period, 1902- 1939”. M.A. Thesis. University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗
United Nations Environment Programme-UNEP (2008). Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Management in Africa. Nairobi, Kenya, 6-10.Google Scholar ↗
Vincent Koech, Oral interview, 6th April 2022, Kabulwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗
Waweru, P. (1992). “Ecology Control and Development of Pastoralism among the Samburu of North-Central: 1750-1909”. M.A. Kenyatta University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-1] Benjamin Chepkon’ga, Oral interview, 24th February 2022, Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Chang’ach, J. K. (2016). “Household Livelihood Strategies among the Keiyo in Kenya”. US-China Education Review B. 6(1): 40-54.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Chebet, S., and Dietz, T. (2000). Climbing the Cliff: A history of the Keiyo. Kijabe: KijabeGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Chebii, Z.K. (2018). “Relationship Between Cattle Rustling and Development: A Case Study of Tot and Tunyo Divisions of Elgeyo Marakwet County; Kenya: 1963 To 2012.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS). 23 (07), 13-19.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Cherop, C. K. (2019). ‘A History of Food Security Mechanism among the Marakwet, Kenya, c. 1850-2000’. M.A. Thesis. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Cherop, C. K. (2024). ‘Ecological Change and Food Security in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, 1850-2013’. PhD. Thesis. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Cherop, K. C. (2020). “The Role of Traditional Knowledge on Food Security: A Case of the Marakwet in Arror Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya c.1800-1895”. International Journals of Recent Innovations in Academic Research.4(11,8-19).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Chesang, I. C. (1973). “The Superstructure of Semi-Pastoral Keiyo”. B. A. Dissertation. University of Dar es salaam.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Cheserek, G., Omondi, P. & Odenyo, V. (2012). Nature and Causes of Cattle Rustling among some Pastoral Communities in Kenya. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS), 173-179.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Christoper Chebii, Oral interview, 7th July 2022, Kapchemutwa, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp-209-240). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Donna, B. (2013). Qualitative Interviews; When Enough is Enough. Qualitative Market Research: Retrieved from www.researchbydesign.com.au. On 17th January 2022.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Egeru A (2012) Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Weather Change adaptation: A Case Study of the Teso Sub-region, Eastern Uganda. Indian Journal Traditional Knowledge 11, 217–224.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Gakuru, C. C. (2006). Remodeling Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge: Nairobi: Kenya.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] GOK. (2013). Elgeyo Marakwet County Integrated Development Plan, Available at: http://www.elgeyomarakwet.go.ke/Publications/EMC_CIDP.pdf.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] John C. Ruto, Oral interview, 3rd May 2022, Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Kandagor, D. R. (2005). Rethinking Pastoralism and African Development: A Case Study of The Horn of Africa. Department of History, Egerton University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Kaprom, T. P. (2013). Effects of Cattle Rustling on Economic Development: A Case of Masol Location, West Pokot County. M.A. Thesis. University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) (2019). Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) of 2019. Retrieved from www.knbs.or.ke. on 24 may, 2022.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Kipkorir, B.E. (1973). The Marakwet of Kenya: A Preliminary Survey. Nairobi: East African Education Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Kizito, L. M. (1998). “Impact of Economic Activities on the Ecology of the Isukha and Idakho Areas of Western Kenya, c.1850 to 1945”. M.A. Thesis. Kenyatta University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Kop Maiyo, Oral interview, 24th February 2022, Kabulwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Little, M. A. and P. W. Leslie. (1999). Turkana herders of the dry savanna: ecology and biobehavioral response of nomads to an uncertain environment. New York.Oxford University Press. London and Sterling, CA: Earthscan Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Michael Tuitoek, Oral interview, 7th February 2022, Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Miller, D. (2012). Recommended sample size table to achieve data saturation. In: Donna Bonde. Qualitative Interviews; When Enough is Enough. Qualitative Market Research. www.researchbydesign.com.au. ISBN 978-09-9925065-2-0.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Murkomen, M.K. (2015). The Impact of Policing Strategies in Combating Cattle Rustling in Tot Division, Marakwet District. SSN (Paper)2224-5766 ISSN. 5, (10), 2015.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Mwanzi, H. A. (1977). A History of the Kipsigis. Nairobi: EABL.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Mzee Barar, Oral interview, 12th February 2022, Kapkoi, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Nangulu, A. K. (2009). "Food Security and Coping Mechanisms in Marginal Areas”. African Studies Collection. 15:1-275.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Rigby, G. (1985). Persistent Pastoralist: Nomadic Societies in Transition. London: Zed Book Ltd.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Rollinson, D.H.L. (1953). Cattle Earth Licks with some Observation in Lango. Uganda Journal.17 (2), 167-172.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Sindiga, I. (1981). “European Perceptions in Degrading Maasai Ecology”. M.A. Thesis. Ohio University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Smith, T.L. (1999). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. New Zealand. Zed Books.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Tarus, I. (1994). “The Keiyo of Kenya during the Early Colonial Period, 1902- 1939”. M.A. Thesis. University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-35] United Nations Environment Programme-UNEP (2008). Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Management in Africa. Nairobi, Kenya, 6-10.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-36] Vincent Koech, Oral interview, 6th April 2022, Kabulwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-37] Waweru, P. (1992). “Ecology Control and Development of Pastoralism among the Samburu of North-Central: 1750-1909”. M.A. Kenyatta University.Google Scholar ↗