A History of Social Exclusion and Poverty of The Thagichu of Igembe Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

This study is on social exclusion and poverty of the Thagichu from the colonial epoch of the years1907 to 1962. Kenyan Government strategies towards alleviation of social exclusion and poverty between 2013 1nd 2015 are also explored. The study was guided by the theories of Underdevelopment, Materialistic Conception of History and Social Darwinism. It employed the descriptive research design. Data was collected from oral, archival and secondary sources. A total of 50 persons were purposively sampled and interviewed and corroborated with data from archival and secondary sources. The Thagichu were socially excluded by the colonial Government. Exclusion was noted in inadequate infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals and lack of access to social services like banks compared to other areas of Meru County. The study established that the government has come up with strategies that could help tackle social exclusion and poverty of the Thagichu, including building educational facilities, provision of free primary and day secondary education, adult and continuing education, non-formal education and provision of educational funds through the constituency development fund and Affirmative Action Social Development Fund, establishment of road networks, land adjudication, NGOs, formal employment, Health facilities, urban centre and electricity. This study has contributed to the Thagichu historiography.