PEASANTS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CAPITAL ACCUMULATION AND DIFFERENTIATION: THE GUSII MAIZE FLOUR MILLERS OF WESTERN KENYA, 1920-1950.

Abstract

This paper seeks to study the development of African entrepreneurship among the Gusii of South western Kenya during the colonial period. The process of conquest and accumulation came relatively late in Gusii but by the 1940s, several Gusii households had accumulated sufficient capital to a point where clear differentiation was now evident. The well to do families were able to afford modern education and other social amenities.  Capital accumulation took place through agricultural and other non-agricultural activities such as the construction of water mills, road transport, retail trade, beer brewing among others. All these activities contributed to significant urbanization especially in Kisii town and other centers. Differentiation and increased population growth led to a serious land crunch that spurred outward migration. This paper endeavors to explain how rural peasants acquire power through accumulation and how this affects their livelihoods.