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The Mission
I believe that this is the first book published containing an abridged, referenced and unbiased history of each of the forty_four ethnic communities which constitute the Kenya nation. From here onwards, one needs not speculate or seek rumours about any of the Kenyan ethnic communities as known basic historical information has been compiled and presented in the book. It is hoped that availability of this information will demystify ethnicity and racism and positively open and moderate the minds of Kenyans.
In ancient times (it is so, to an extent, even now) an African belonged to his family, clan and ethnic group. The community provided the individual's security, understanding, awareness and fellowship. The dominant characteristics of the traditional society were security of the individual in the group and for the group as a whole and close integration of all patterns of behaviour — social, religious and political. Much of this has now considerably changed with new circumstances which require that all ethnic communities be incorporated into the new Kenya nation with its structures of representation, defence, economic, social and political integration as well as centralised administration of the country and justice for all the people. In other words, the country is in the process of moulding itself into one national Kenya entity.
This book is the final product of very extensive research from written sources, many which are not easily accessible and are largely unknown to many, and some are from unpublished materials. It has taken me over seven years to collect and collate the materials in this book. In the course of preparation of the book, I have been inspired by Matthew 5, verse 15 which reads:
"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."
I have, therefore, found it compelling to share what I now know with my compatriots in Kenya and, indeed, with readers in the rest of the world. I believe those I have quoted from and from whom I have learnt so much about our respective histories as Kenyans share with me the generosity to posterity as it is urged in the Mathew verse quoted.
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