Changes in the Kipsigis Women’s Roles and Gender Relations in Bomet Tea Farming Zone from 1924-1975

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in the Kipsigis women’s roles and gender relations as a result of introduction of tea farming by the British in Bomet County from 1924-1975. Traditionally the Kipsigis women had well defined roles, values and status in agricultural production that clearly defined their jurisdictions within the Kipsigis community. However, this study argues that the introduction of colonial tea farming by the British with intrinsically detrimental colonial policies led to significant changes in the Kipsigis women’s roles and gender relations to the women's disadvantage. The study employed descriptive research design and it was guided by Marxist Feminism and Patriarchal theories that showed how the Kipsigis women were subordinated by the existing traditional structures as well as the new capitalist economic structures. The major sources of information were oral interviews, archival and secondary sources. The study found out that the coming of the British and the subsequent introduction of tea farming brought about the intensification of patriarchy and gender relations through capitalist farming practices such as forced labor, large scale crop farming, land alienation and new farming mechanization that were manifested in the tea farming. It also strengthened the existing traditional unequal gender relations and roles in agricultural production which significantly reduced the socio-economic status of women thus making them to be viewed as the secondary and low value participants the tea farming. The Kipsigis women's traditional agricultural land was alienated, agricultural labor exploited and their agricultural skills undermined by the British in tea farming plantations to their detriment. This study recommends that hybrid approaches should be embraced to achieve gender mainstreaming in tea farming zones in Kenya, an approach that will incorporate and recognizes both the traditional women agricultural roles and values and the new farming technology. This study contributes to women’s role in agricultural development by documenting the dynamics of the Kipsigis women’s roles and gender relations since the introduction of tea farming.