Abstract:
This paper surveys the nature and growth of indigenous cooperative initiatives in
Gusii land before the colonial period. It sought to contribute to the efforts of the
Abagusii community towards the innovation of indigenous cooperative initiatives as
an initiative for the transformation of the majority of the people in Gusii land. The
paper employed the principle of modernization theory which asserts that a break
from primitive customs was the basis for the development of any society. To him,
development is ‘white’ and the only way developing countries can develop is to
follow the footsteps of European countries. Nevertheless, the paper intentionally
utilized the criticism of modernization theory to advance the objective of indigenous
cooperative initiatives in Gusiiland. The study was done in Kisii County. The
population of the study was sampled from the nine sub-counties of Kisii County
using the snowballing sampling technique. The study further used primary sources
of data collection which included oral interviews and archival evidence. In addition,
internet sources and libraries were widely utilized as secondary materials. A
descriptive method was used to analyse data collected from the field thereafter. The
justification of this study was the rationale for the emergence and sprouting of
indigenous cooperative initiatives in Gusii land. It was concluded therefore that -
laziness was considered a disease and hence prohibited in the community and that
the unity of purpose ensured not only food security but also ensured love for one
another was bound and relative peace and security maintained. Further, findings
were also evident that indigenous cooperative initiatives in the long run created a
chain of bonds among the Abagusii which still exists to date.
