peter wekesa | Kenyatta University, Nairobi (original) (raw)
Papers by peter wekesa
(Re)membering Kenya Vol 1
The term "refugee" in international law is characterized, on the one hand, by the principle of St... more The term "refugee" in international law is characterized, on the one hand, by the principle of State sovereignty and, on another, by competing humanitarian principles deriving from general international laws and treaties. The study of protection of refugee invites a look not only at States' obligations regarding admission and treatment after entry, but also at the potential responsibility under the international law of the State, whose conduct or omissions cause an outflow. In general sense the community of nations is responsible for finding solutions and providing international protection to refugee. This special mandate was entrusted to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the agency committed to save and protect human lives, rights and supporting refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. At the beginning of the 21st century, protecting refugees means maintaining solidarity with the world's most threatened, while finding answers to the challenges confronting the international system that was created to do just that. The aim of this article is to describe the foundations and the framework of international refugee law, to define refugees and protection of refugees; as well as to provide a brief analysis of the changing migration and asylum dynamics in the region and outline some of the main challenges arising in this context.
The Waata community is among the indigenous Kenyan communities whose social, political, and econo... more The Waata community is among the indigenous Kenyan communities whose social, political, and economic organization has not been adequately studied. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of colonial policies on the history of the Waata people of Kilifi County in the period 1895-1963. The study was guided by the cultural interaction and identity formation theory. The study was conducted using the descriptive research design which offered a chronology of events as they unfolded over time. A qualitative approach was significant because it allowed an in-depth collection of data to ascertain the attitudes, feelings, and opinions concerning the theme under study. The study site was Kilifi County. The study targeted both males and females above 18 years within Kilifi County who were knowledgeable about the existence of the Waata people. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. One hundred and twenty-two participants were interviewed. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was derived from the one-on-one interaction with participants using interview schedules and Key Informant Interviews, oral interviews, and focus group discussions. Question guides and questionnaires with open-ended responses were also used. Secondary data was obtained from critical analysis of books, articles, papers, thesis, and dissertations. Additionally, archival sources, particularly colonial documents, annual reports, correspondents, letters, diaries, and political record books related to the area under study were consulted. The findings of the study revealed that colonial policies impacted significantly on the history of the Waata forcing them to adapt to different lifestyles in order to survive cultural extinction. This adaptation was informed by the colonial labelling of traditional hunting communities like the Waata as poachers and the progressive government efforts to stop them from their traditional source of livelihood as well as their eviction from their indigenous habitats and creation of National Parks.
This paper was originally presented to the Summer Institute on “International Hegemony and the So... more This paper was originally presented to the Summer Institute on “International Hegemony and the South: A Tricontinental Perspective”, Havana, Cuba, 2005.
A cross-sectional study of police officers was carried out in Mandera County of Kenya to elucidat... more A cross-sectional study of police officers was carried out in Mandera County of Kenya to elucidate the impact that reforms in the police service have had on their response to terror activities. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the study found that while there had been a positive impact for the most part, more still needs to be done especially in the area intelligence gathering to prevent terror attacks and rebuilding the public trust in the police service in light of previous misdeeds.
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2020
Formal education in Kenya was introduced by the Christian missionaries from Europe who built the ... more Formal education in Kenya was introduced by the Christian missionaries from Europe who built the first schools in the country. Formal education which entailed primary, secondary and tertiary education which was offered in classrooms by trained instructors started about a hundred years ago in Nyeri County. Formal education in Nyeri has experienced transformation since its inception. This study focuses on the history of formal education in Nyeri County from the period 1920-1990. It focuses on the history of primary, secondary and tertiary education in Nyeri County. The study investigates how formal education emerged in Nyeri County between 1920 and 1945. It also analyses how it developed between 1946 and 1963; and between 1964 and 1990. The aspects of formal education in Nyeri County the study discusses include the curriculum followed, management of formal education, facilities available, examinations, African contribution in the development of formal education, school enrolment, teachers and challenges faced by formal education during the three periods. Special attention has been given to the Kagumo School because of its peculiarity as the first Government African School to offer higher education in Nyeri County. The study also gives attention to Indian and European education in Nyeri during the colonial period. The aim of this study was to add some new knowledge to the already existing knowledge about the history of formal education in Nyeri County. The objectives that guided the study were to examine the emergence of formal education in Nyeri County from 1920 to 1945; to examine the developments in formal education in Nyeri County from 1946 to 1963 and to investigate the changes in formal education in Nyeri County in the independence era, 1964 to 1990. The study employed the theory of social development as a guide. Being a qualitative research, the study used descriptive survey where guided interviews and observation were used to gather information from respondents. Secondary sources of information like books, journals, newspapers and others were used. Information from the internet was also sought. The Kenya National Archive in Nairobi was of much value to the study. The study used a sample population of fifty people of ages between 50 and 105. Data obtained was analyzed using thematic analysis in which related topics were categorized and explained. Historical criticism was applied and the data collected through oral interviews was corroborated with the existing written sources from the Kenya National Archives. Finally, conclusions were made.
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2020
Development of Freedom (Uhuru) Ideology and the Inspirations of the Nationalist Ideological Movem... more Development of Freedom (Uhuru) Ideology and the Inspirations of the Nationalist Ideological Movements in Kenya and South Korea 1. The Kenya's Experience In order to discuss the development of freedom (Uhuru) ideology in Kenya, it is important to define the meaning of what ideology is. Martin (2015) argues that because of the plurality of various ways of how the term ideology is usually used by scholars, it is therefore important for scholars to begin by acknowledging such understandings. Additionally, Migdal (2018) observes that three ways in which the term ideology has been used; first, it has been used to signify a belief of an imaginary world of ideas which are independent of the material world. Second, some scholars such as Marx regrets that it has been used as a blanket to cover faces of majority mass population towards believing in a world of things which only exist in the mind. Despite differences in understanding the meaning of the term ideology, the general agreement by many is that the term has been used to refer to opinions, attitudes, and beliefs. Connolly (2017) therefore defines ideology as sets of principles and beliefs held by individuals or groups of individuals. It is on these beliefs and principles that the operations of political parties, political systems and organizations are based. The term uhuru is a Swahili word which means freedom. Freedom (uhuru) ideological movement developed many years before independence. According to Bienen (2015), freedom ideology formed part of the major spirit behind the call for independence. Many Africans were inspired by the strong desire for freedom. Many of them even died when fighting for freedom. According to Miller (2018), at independence, majority of individuals especially those who took over the leadership positions were from elite groups. They were people with good education many of whom were trained in the British system of education. Across the political divide, these elite nationalists shared the same freedom (uhuru) ideology. He argues that at independence, all nationalist movements in Kenya had their ideologies purely based on uhuru. To them, the main concerns were on nothing else except to focus on uhuru. In his article on Political Parties and Ideology in Kenya, Anyang' Nyong'o writes that in the 1960s, nationalists pursued uhuru ideology because of its diverse social enrichment. For him, uhuru was used as mobilizing ideology to bring
Peace, Security and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Nov 27, 2017
The State and Nation-Building Processes in Kenya since Independence, 2019
codesria.org
Most current debates on the Kenyan nation revolve around the unfortunate events that followed the... more Most current debates on the Kenyan nation revolve around the unfortunate events that followed the disputed 2007 presidential elections. The resultant post-election violence claimed over 1,200 lives and left thousands injured, displaced and billions worth of ...
... historically functioned as catalysts and compelling influences on the quality of communicatio... more ... historically functioned as catalysts and compelling influences on the quality of communication in the ... border relations are studied within the diverse historical context defining their evolution and transformation. ... It delves into the history of relations between the two peoples that had ...
This study focuses on politics and nationalism in Kenya with special reference to Babukusu of Bun... more This study focuses on politics and nationalism in Kenya with special reference to Babukusu of Bungoma District in the period between 1894 and 1963. It examines the place of Babukusu in Kenya's politics of deco lonisation by demonstrating their contribution to the emergence and development of nationalism. Using an integrated approach, the study examines the growth of political consciousness among the Babukusu in the light of the changes in their material conditions posed by the colonial political economy. It has been deduced herein that since the inception of colonialism, Babukusu like other Kenyans elsewhere, offered a concerted political challenge to its existence. This challenge, as we have shown, can only be adequately explained by taking into account the fundamental social, economic and political changes, which were introduced during the colonial period. It was out of their sense of self-realization that a political consciousness grew, which in essence was a reaction to the ...
Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review, 2002
Journal of Eastern African Studies, 2010
... 334 PW Wekesa Page 5. ... The nationality issue came to the fore when Uganda's fisheries... more ... 334 PW Wekesa Page 5. ... The nationality issue came to the fore when Uganda's fisheries minister,Fred Mukisa, ordered the inhabitants of the island to elect a local council leadership and a Migingo Beach Management Unit to be in charge of the affairs of the island. ...
Africa Development, 2005
Abstract In the contemporary world, discourse on global cultural flows and related outcomes has m... more Abstract In the contemporary world, discourse on global cultural flows and related outcomes has moved to the center stage in scholarly research and activist realms. In this discourse, especially that related to fundamental world views on globalization and to the links ...
(Re)membering Kenya Vol 1
The term "refugee" in international law is characterized, on the one hand, by the principle of St... more The term "refugee" in international law is characterized, on the one hand, by the principle of State sovereignty and, on another, by competing humanitarian principles deriving from general international laws and treaties. The study of protection of refugee invites a look not only at States' obligations regarding admission and treatment after entry, but also at the potential responsibility under the international law of the State, whose conduct or omissions cause an outflow. In general sense the community of nations is responsible for finding solutions and providing international protection to refugee. This special mandate was entrusted to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the agency committed to save and protect human lives, rights and supporting refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. At the beginning of the 21st century, protecting refugees means maintaining solidarity with the world's most threatened, while finding answers to the challenges confronting the international system that was created to do just that. The aim of this article is to describe the foundations and the framework of international refugee law, to define refugees and protection of refugees; as well as to provide a brief analysis of the changing migration and asylum dynamics in the region and outline some of the main challenges arising in this context.
The Waata community is among the indigenous Kenyan communities whose social, political, and econo... more The Waata community is among the indigenous Kenyan communities whose social, political, and economic organization has not been adequately studied. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of colonial policies on the history of the Waata people of Kilifi County in the period 1895-1963. The study was guided by the cultural interaction and identity formation theory. The study was conducted using the descriptive research design which offered a chronology of events as they unfolded over time. A qualitative approach was significant because it allowed an in-depth collection of data to ascertain the attitudes, feelings, and opinions concerning the theme under study. The study site was Kilifi County. The study targeted both males and females above 18 years within Kilifi County who were knowledgeable about the existence of the Waata people. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. One hundred and twenty-two participants were interviewed. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was derived from the one-on-one interaction with participants using interview schedules and Key Informant Interviews, oral interviews, and focus group discussions. Question guides and questionnaires with open-ended responses were also used. Secondary data was obtained from critical analysis of books, articles, papers, thesis, and dissertations. Additionally, archival sources, particularly colonial documents, annual reports, correspondents, letters, diaries, and political record books related to the area under study were consulted. The findings of the study revealed that colonial policies impacted significantly on the history of the Waata forcing them to adapt to different lifestyles in order to survive cultural extinction. This adaptation was informed by the colonial labelling of traditional hunting communities like the Waata as poachers and the progressive government efforts to stop them from their traditional source of livelihood as well as their eviction from their indigenous habitats and creation of National Parks.
This paper was originally presented to the Summer Institute on “International Hegemony and the So... more This paper was originally presented to the Summer Institute on “International Hegemony and the South: A Tricontinental Perspective”, Havana, Cuba, 2005.
A cross-sectional study of police officers was carried out in Mandera County of Kenya to elucidat... more A cross-sectional study of police officers was carried out in Mandera County of Kenya to elucidate the impact that reforms in the police service have had on their response to terror activities. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the study found that while there had been a positive impact for the most part, more still needs to be done especially in the area intelligence gathering to prevent terror attacks and rebuilding the public trust in the police service in light of previous misdeeds.
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2020
Formal education in Kenya was introduced by the Christian missionaries from Europe who built the ... more Formal education in Kenya was introduced by the Christian missionaries from Europe who built the first schools in the country. Formal education which entailed primary, secondary and tertiary education which was offered in classrooms by trained instructors started about a hundred years ago in Nyeri County. Formal education in Nyeri has experienced transformation since its inception. This study focuses on the history of formal education in Nyeri County from the period 1920-1990. It focuses on the history of primary, secondary and tertiary education in Nyeri County. The study investigates how formal education emerged in Nyeri County between 1920 and 1945. It also analyses how it developed between 1946 and 1963; and between 1964 and 1990. The aspects of formal education in Nyeri County the study discusses include the curriculum followed, management of formal education, facilities available, examinations, African contribution in the development of formal education, school enrolment, teachers and challenges faced by formal education during the three periods. Special attention has been given to the Kagumo School because of its peculiarity as the first Government African School to offer higher education in Nyeri County. The study also gives attention to Indian and European education in Nyeri during the colonial period. The aim of this study was to add some new knowledge to the already existing knowledge about the history of formal education in Nyeri County. The objectives that guided the study were to examine the emergence of formal education in Nyeri County from 1920 to 1945; to examine the developments in formal education in Nyeri County from 1946 to 1963 and to investigate the changes in formal education in Nyeri County in the independence era, 1964 to 1990. The study employed the theory of social development as a guide. Being a qualitative research, the study used descriptive survey where guided interviews and observation were used to gather information from respondents. Secondary sources of information like books, journals, newspapers and others were used. Information from the internet was also sought. The Kenya National Archive in Nairobi was of much value to the study. The study used a sample population of fifty people of ages between 50 and 105. Data obtained was analyzed using thematic analysis in which related topics were categorized and explained. Historical criticism was applied and the data collected through oral interviews was corroborated with the existing written sources from the Kenya National Archives. Finally, conclusions were made.
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2020
Development of Freedom (Uhuru) Ideology and the Inspirations of the Nationalist Ideological Movem... more Development of Freedom (Uhuru) Ideology and the Inspirations of the Nationalist Ideological Movements in Kenya and South Korea 1. The Kenya's Experience In order to discuss the development of freedom (Uhuru) ideology in Kenya, it is important to define the meaning of what ideology is. Martin (2015) argues that because of the plurality of various ways of how the term ideology is usually used by scholars, it is therefore important for scholars to begin by acknowledging such understandings. Additionally, Migdal (2018) observes that three ways in which the term ideology has been used; first, it has been used to signify a belief of an imaginary world of ideas which are independent of the material world. Second, some scholars such as Marx regrets that it has been used as a blanket to cover faces of majority mass population towards believing in a world of things which only exist in the mind. Despite differences in understanding the meaning of the term ideology, the general agreement by many is that the term has been used to refer to opinions, attitudes, and beliefs. Connolly (2017) therefore defines ideology as sets of principles and beliefs held by individuals or groups of individuals. It is on these beliefs and principles that the operations of political parties, political systems and organizations are based. The term uhuru is a Swahili word which means freedom. Freedom (uhuru) ideological movement developed many years before independence. According to Bienen (2015), freedom ideology formed part of the major spirit behind the call for independence. Many Africans were inspired by the strong desire for freedom. Many of them even died when fighting for freedom. According to Miller (2018), at independence, majority of individuals especially those who took over the leadership positions were from elite groups. They were people with good education many of whom were trained in the British system of education. Across the political divide, these elite nationalists shared the same freedom (uhuru) ideology. He argues that at independence, all nationalist movements in Kenya had their ideologies purely based on uhuru. To them, the main concerns were on nothing else except to focus on uhuru. In his article on Political Parties and Ideology in Kenya, Anyang' Nyong'o writes that in the 1960s, nationalists pursued uhuru ideology because of its diverse social enrichment. For him, uhuru was used as mobilizing ideology to bring
Peace, Security and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Nov 27, 2017
The State and Nation-Building Processes in Kenya since Independence, 2019
codesria.org
Most current debates on the Kenyan nation revolve around the unfortunate events that followed the... more Most current debates on the Kenyan nation revolve around the unfortunate events that followed the disputed 2007 presidential elections. The resultant post-election violence claimed over 1,200 lives and left thousands injured, displaced and billions worth of ...
... historically functioned as catalysts and compelling influences on the quality of communicatio... more ... historically functioned as catalysts and compelling influences on the quality of communication in the ... border relations are studied within the diverse historical context defining their evolution and transformation. ... It delves into the history of relations between the two peoples that had ...
This study focuses on politics and nationalism in Kenya with special reference to Babukusu of Bun... more This study focuses on politics and nationalism in Kenya with special reference to Babukusu of Bungoma District in the period between 1894 and 1963. It examines the place of Babukusu in Kenya's politics of deco lonisation by demonstrating their contribution to the emergence and development of nationalism. Using an integrated approach, the study examines the growth of political consciousness among the Babukusu in the light of the changes in their material conditions posed by the colonial political economy. It has been deduced herein that since the inception of colonialism, Babukusu like other Kenyans elsewhere, offered a concerted political challenge to its existence. This challenge, as we have shown, can only be adequately explained by taking into account the fundamental social, economic and political changes, which were introduced during the colonial period. It was out of their sense of self-realization that a political consciousness grew, which in essence was a reaction to the ...
Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review, 2002
Journal of Eastern African Studies, 2010
... 334 PW Wekesa Page 5. ... The nationality issue came to the fore when Uganda's fisheries... more ... 334 PW Wekesa Page 5. ... The nationality issue came to the fore when Uganda's fisheries minister,Fred Mukisa, ordered the inhabitants of the island to elect a local council leadership and a Migingo Beach Management Unit to be in charge of the affairs of the island. ...
Africa Development, 2005
Abstract In the contemporary world, discourse on global cultural flows and related outcomes has m... more Abstract In the contemporary world, discourse on global cultural flows and related outcomes has moved to the center stage in scholarly research and activist realms. In this discourse, especially that related to fundamental world views on globalization and to the links ...