International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research 53 International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research ISSN: 2455-2070; Impact Factor: RJIF 5.22 Received: 09-04-2019; Accepted: 12-05-2019 www.socialsciencejournal.in Volume 5; Issue 4; July 2019; Page No. 53-62 Political trends and leadership patterns in the abagusii community during the decolonization period from 1940-1963 in Kenya Thomas Monari Ombuki 1 , Mildred Ndeda 2 , Samwel Okuro 3 1 Gradaute Student, Department of History, Religion and Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo, Kenya 2 Associate Professor Department of History, Religion and Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo, Kenya 3 Lecturer, Department of History, Religion and Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo, Kenya Abstract The history of the Abagusii has not been adequately examined by the previous scholars since most of the scholars who have ventured into this subject have done it at wider levels of global, continental, regional and/or national while ignoring local level studies of specific African communities such as the Abagusii. Local level studies are critical as they unearth some of the political patterns of behaviour from individual communities towards effective participation in the national politics of independent Kenya. The study aimed at assessing Political Trends and Leadership Patterns in the Abagusii Community during the Decolonization Period from 1940-1963 in Kenya. Descriptive research design enabled data collection from both primary and secondary sources. This study was conducted in the larger Gusiiland in Kenya. Primary data was collected through oral interviews, questionnaires and archival sources while secondary data was obtained from libraries by consulting relevant text books, previous reports and political journals, Newspapers, magazines, articles, unpublished theses, dissertations’, conferences and seminar papers and periodicals. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The results of the study indicated that the Abagusii community joined other Kenyans in the nationalist struggle by their leaders to form a united front through KAU and their own local political associations like the KU and the KHAA. Reforms introduced in Gusiiland included expansion of education opportunities, the field of land reform and agricultural improvement. Keywords: agricultural improvement, Abagusii, nationalist, magazines Introduction In this paper, the general political atmosphere in Africa and Kenya during and after WWII is highlighted. The participation of the Abagusii in the wider spectrum of Kenya’s anti-colonial struggle is discussed. Their involvement in the formation of political organizations and associations geared towards breaking the yoke of colonialism is examined and the role of key leaders behind these activities examined. The various changes and reforms initiated by the colonial government due to African pressure or European initiative during the period of nationalism and how they affected the Abagusii are surveyed. The theory of articulation of modes of production was to guide the research and to explain and interpret the data. Research Context The history of the Abagusii has not been adequately examined by the previous scholars since most of the scholars who have ventured into this subject have done it at wider levels of global, continental, regional and/or national while ignoring local level studies of specific African communities such as the Abagusii. Local level studies are critical as they unearth some of the political patterns of behaviour from individual communities towards effective participation in the national politics of independent Kenya. This has informed the need for this study on the political history of the Abagusii of South-Western Kenya. This study reconstructs and documents the political history of Abagusii from 1940 to 1963. Politics definitely plays a critical role as it drives a society towards progress or plunge it into a state of stagnation or recession. Politics generally influences economic opportunities and access to vital social resources like education and healthcare, while creating sound laws and policies that govern the allocation and distribution of goods and resources among the population. Society thus needs to be equipped with education on politics or political literacy by giving focus to the subject of political history. Literature Review The subject of political history has attracted diverseinterests from different scholars and with varying focus. Although the Abagusii political history is a relatively unexplored area, a number of scholars have engaged with it tangentially. One of the foundational studies among the Abagusii is the work of LeVine (1956) [11] . In his study, he identifies wealth among the Abagusiias a powerful tool in the quest for political power and social prestige. The Abagusii culture as LeVineargues emphasizes on ancestral worship, authoritarianism, interpersonal hostility, clannishness and very high acquisitive values. He sees the Abagusii as people who resort to court tribunals for the resolution of minor conflicts and the use of “powerful individuals” and “men of influence” as instruments of social control (p.77). However, being an anthropological researcher, LeVine’s focus is not