Causes Of Family Conflicts In The Kipsigiis Community A Case Study Of Kericho District Of Riftv Alley Province In Kenya

ABSTRACT

Violence in the family (referred herein as domestic violence) has been on the increase in

many parts of the country and extreme cases rep01ted in the local media. The frequency

and the magnitude of this problem have never been established due to the fact that many

cases go unrepo1ted.

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 prope1ty is cmTently 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, sta1t 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 no nmaterial elements adjust to it after a time.iHe 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 suppmt 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.