Boit Kipchirchir John
Abstract
Settlement schemes in Kenya have been faced with various constraints since independence in 1963. The main purpose of the study was to examine the socio-economic factors that affected Anabkoi Settlement Scheme. Primary data was collected through oral interviews while secondary data was collected through archival sources. The study interviewed 80 original settlers in all four phases or blocks in Ainabkoi settlement scheme. A pilot study was carried out in Lessos settlement scheme. The analysis of data was done using both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the findings were interpreted against the framework provided by Rural Development Approach. The study upheld the presupposition that ethnicity and economic status of the settlement played a remarkable role in the distribution of land, and that various aspects of the African settlers’ socio-cultural organization with regard to family lineage and clan loyalties have been carried over into Ainabkoi scheme in turn adversely affecting the African settlers’ socio-economic transformation. One of the findings was that the settlers should be regarded more as pioneers and therefore allowed to put a great deal of work on what will be their land in future. Secondly, the study showed that both social and economic factors are important for the attainment of settlement scheme objectives. Based on the findings, the study recommends that there should be national selection criteria of settlers for all settlement projects, future planning be considered by diversifying the economy of the settlers and by introducing pre-tested crops of high quality and cushion farmers against the fluctuations in market prices and enable them meet the demands of the settlement programme.
Keywords: Socio-Economic Changes, Clan Loyalty, socio-Cultural Organization, Ainabkoi
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