British Colonialism in Kenya during 1895 to 1965: It’s Implications on the African Family Stability in Embu North Sub-County

The object of this study was to examine colonialism and its’ implication on the African family stability in Embu North Sub-County of Kenya from 1895 to 1965. The amalgamation of the geographical, legal, cultural, linguistic, political, mental/epistemic, cultural, and/or financial supremacy of one group of people by another (external) community of people is known as colonialism. The many forms of territorial dominance imposed by European powers over non-Europeans are referred to as "European colonialism." Stable communities are built on a fundamental basis of family values. A community that was prepared to fight for the preservation of their culture was necessary to maintain the genuine traditional family value system against a tsunami of transformation comparable to that brought about by western imperialism. The descriptive research design was used for the investigation. Data came from secondary, archival, and oral sources. Using the snowballing sampling methods, the researcher collected a purposive sample of 50 respondents for the interview. To establish the study's validity and dependability, data from secondary, archival, and oral sources were confirmed. The discussion begins with some of the customary beliefs that the Aembu held at the time colonialism was imposed on Kenya in 1920, moves on to how these aspects were carried out in family and communal life among the Aembu, and finally discusses how the Aembu were able to maintain these family practices and values during the colonial period from 1920 to 1965. The colonial experience and its effects on the stability of African families in the research region were examined using the Cultural Evolution hypothesis. The study established that; the Aembu were polygamists whose homesteads comprised several huts for different members; they had a supreme council Kiama kia Ngome and were mixed farmers; they had an elaborate family value system with strict safeguards on social, political and economic aspects that ensured a very stable family unit. Missionaries arrived in Embu North Sub-County at Kigari in 1910 and built the first station; there was concerted effort to end female circumcision and ensure monogamy was exercised in place of polygamy. There were positive and negative implications on family values after imposition of colonialism; people abandoned some cultural practices, embraced others. The family values that the Aembu people maintained before and during colonialism were circumcision (especially female circumcision), the culture of dowry payment, naming system, hospitality, and polygamy. These family values were evident in their cultural traditions and practices and served to explain their unique African identity. They were held in high regard, passed the test of time and were preserved from 1920 to 1965.The study concluded that the coming of the British missionaries to Embu North Sub-County impacted on the Aembu family value system and led to cultural subjugation.This study has Contributed to the colonial historiography of the Aembu of Embu North Sub-County, Kenya.