A History of Marriage Market in Kiambu County Kenya, 1960 to 2000

Abstract

This study sought to analyse and investigate the history of Marriage market in Komothai, Kiambu County Kenya. The underlying objectives of the study were; To investigate the historical factors that led to the growth of Marriage market to 1960, to analyse how the relationship between the traders and locals led to the transformation of Marriage market between 1961 to 1978, to investigate the relationship between the various market policies and how the they impacted on the growth of Marriage market between 1979-2000 and to analyse the relationship between the urbanization in neighbouring towns and the fall of Marriage market. The study was based on the Structural Functionalism Theory by COMTE (1984). The research utilized both primary and secondary sources which will be used to acquire data on issues of development of Marriage market in Komothai, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was done in Marriage market in Komothai, Kiambu County, Kenya. This area was picked in light of the fact that it contains people of assorted tribes carrying out various economic activities in the region and some have been born and raised in the area, hence familiar to the historical changes the market has undergone. The study utilized interviews questions as the main instruments to collect data. The study also relied on both secondary and primary written sources to gather information which was utilized to gather data on issues of development of Marriage market in Komothai, Kiambu County, Kenya. From the findings it is clear that Marriage market thrived to national status by 1960s and 70s, was by the year 2000 an abandoned place with minimal or no activities. A trader who used to bring commodities such as salt from Magadi or tobacco from Meru in the 1970s, who would happen to visit the area by the year 200, would only be welcomed by cows and goats grazing on the overgrown grass, a sign of an abandoned and alienated place. Several factors had contributed to the growth of Marriage market as explained earlier; which included; the population of the surrounding villages, agricultural activities such coffee farming and cattle keeping, peaceful coexistence of locals, strategic location and infrastructure. That factors that led to the collapse of the market on the other hand include rural to urban migration, the collapse of the coffee industry and the rise of new urban centres in close proximity to Marriage market. Among the recommendations that have been offered by the current research include the need of having developments based on merit as opposed to political inclination. Another key recommendation is that the government should come up with policies for rural industrialization. The current study also recommends for the government and non-state actors raise infrastructure standards in rural areas. The need for a policy by stakeholders in the agricultural sector guaranteeing minimum returns to farmers of such crops, to bar them from unfair trade deals and competitions that always kill their hard work has also been offered as a recommendation of the current study.