Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the detailed history of Dini ya Musambwa in Bungoma County from inception in 1940 to 2017 in Kenya. The researcher sought to find out the origin and background of Dini ya Musambwa, establish the challenges faced by the sect in promoting its activities and establish the influence of the sect on the communities of Bungoma since colonial times. The study location was in Bungoma County, Kenya. The investigation remained flexible in the effort to follow up the history and survival of the Dini ya Musambwa to details. The study took 1940 as the beginning point and we followed the sect all through to 2017. The significance of 1940 is serving as the beginning of the second nationalism among the Babukusu which was synonymous with the rise of Elijah Masinde and the Dini ya Musambwa in Bungoma County. 2017 on the other hand served as the convenient date to end the investigation and analysis given the humble time frame and the fact that it was an electioneering year. The study was informed by two integrated theoretical frameworks: – namely the social movement and the social conflict theory of change, as advanced by Karlmax. These are largely sociological theories with a common denominator in that they are primarily theories of social change. As the study unfolds, the perspectives of the two theories mutually reinforce each other and whenever need arises, either of them is effectively found relevant. The social conflict theory was used across the board to analyze all aspects pertaining the study by combining with the social movement theory as derived from consensus movement and the cooptation of civic and state infrastructures by John Mc Carthy and Mark Wolfson (1987). The study focused on the origin, development and decline in the spread and vibrancy of the Dini ya Musambwa in Kenya since inception in 1940 up to 2017. Several scholars have looked at the History of Elijah Masinde the founder of Dini ya Musambwa and his prophecies. The rise and vibrancy of the Dini ya Musambwa has also been well documented. However, little has been done about the challenges faced by the Dini ya Musambwa, a problem that this study sought to address. Qualitative methods were used to collect, analyze and present data. Primary data was obtained from focus group and discussions, oral interviews, Government Reports and archival materials from selected organizations that held Dini ya Musambwa information. Secondary data was obtained from the internet and libraries of higher institutions of learning where the researcher access published and unpublished materials. The respondents were briefed about the objectives of the study before the data collection process. The study findings are of significance to the community of Bungoma County, religious bodies, members of Dini ya Musambwa and will also inspire other scholars and researchers to carry out related studies. The study proposed the historical study of the Dini ya Musambwa as a good base upon which future resolutions, and references would be made concerning the Babukusu, Bungoma County and Africa’s indigenous religious organizations.