Areas of Ethnic Polarization between the Aembu and Ambeere Communities in Embu County, Kenya (2010 – 2022)

Fredrick Kariuki Warurii
Kenyatta University, Kenya
E-mail: fredrick.kariuki@tharaka.ac.ke

Abstract: The study focused on how ethnic polarization influenced governance among the Ambeere and the Aembu of Embu County, Kenya between 2010 and 2022. It was envisioned that symbiotic patriotism transcended between the devolved government and the national government. The Hegemonic Exchange Theory (2016) by Rothchild and the Rising Expectations = Rising Frustrations Theory (1993) by Huntington and Learner, were invariably used to complement and interpret the findings of the study. Literature was reviewed as guided by the research objective. The review sought to integrate the two theoretical frameworks and paid attention to relevance, divergence, research gaps as well as personal views. The sample size was 130 respondents drawn from a target population of 608,599 (KPHC, 2019). Primary data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews, relevant Kenya National Archives documentations and relevant Government reports. The sample size for random sampling totaled 70 respondents and that of purposive sampling to 60. Secondary data was sourced from books, theses, journals and articles in newspapers from public and university libraries. Online sources were used in order to factor in the most recent and relevant studies in governance as well as ethnic polarization. The study relied on qualitative method of data collection and analysis. Data presentation was portrayed using descriptive statistics such as frequency tables and line graph where applicable for effective understanding of data analysis. The concept of legitimacy and effective legality based on equitable distribution of social infrastructure was one of the robust trajectories to bring about ethnic co-existence and sustainable peace in Embu County.