Causes of Family Conflicts in the Kipsigiis Community: A Case Study of Kericho District of Rift valley Province in Kenya
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Date
2007
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Kampala International University, bachelors degree of social work and social administration
Abstract
Violence in the family (referred herein as domestic violence) has been on the increase in
many parts of the country and extreme cases reported in the local media. The frequency
and the magnitude of this problem have never been established due to the fact that many
cases go unreported.
There are some socio-cultural and economic factors enhancing domestic violence.
Institutions such as the school, state and the church have gradually stripped the Kipsigiis
family of some of its traditional functions and responsibilities such as providing informal
education and treatment. On the one hand, the state has undertaken to provide education
in kindergartens, schools and other forms of education. Schools and health institutions
such as the dispensaries, hospitals and other centers have taken an increasing role in
maintaining the health of children and no longer leave these matters entirely to the
individual family.
The issue of the inheritance of the family property is currently sensitive among the
Kipsigiis and has contributed to disputes amongst family members. This is because,
according to Perstiany 1964, properties like land and livestock which were in the hands
of men were divided and inherited equally by the sons according to the number of wives
in polygamous families unlike nowadays where members stand as individuals and not as
a unit.
Conflicts or disagreements in the family simply show on the one hand, that there exist
some differences in some fundamental areas of live between the couples including
background, upbringing training and temperament. According to Adei 1991 ;94 every
couple despite the illusion of mutuality of interest, start their relationship with sufficient
difference which may ruin their marriage, divorce being the result of and extreme form of
unresolved conflict.
Ogbum 1964 asserted that the prime mover of social change is technology and that the
non material elements adjust to it after a time.
He saw the modern family as losing its functions because industrial production took place
in factories, education in schools, religious training in churches. This process has brought
socio-economic interaction in forms of formal education, trading and intermarriages
between the Kipsigiis and her neighboring communities the Abagusii, Luo, and Agikuyu
The interactions have had profound effects on the traditional and general lifestyle of the
former. This has also exposed some family members to new ideas which are adopted
either partly or wholly.
This study was carried out in Kericho district amongst the Kipsigiis community. The
study used exploratory technique to facilitate full understanding of the causes, levels,
nature of conflict, their interpretations and consequences. Qualitative methodological
approaches were utilized. In-depth interviews and focus groups discussions were
conducted. A total of 50 respondents were interviewed.
However this study is in support of other studies which have found out that conflict and
domestic violence is to a large extend dependent on socio-economic and cultural factors
of family members.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Social Work and Social Administration of Kampala International University
Keywords
Causes of Family Conflicts, Kipsigiis Community, Kericho District