THE ROLE OF ISLAM IN NATIONAL COHESION AND INTEGRATION IN KENYA WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON NAIROBI AND MOMBASA COUNTIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of Islam in national cohesion and integration in Kenya. Cohesion and integration agenda is one of the building blocks of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and has become an area of major interest at different levels of the Kenyan society. However, the country continues to experience divisions along social lines. Academic work relating to the role of religion in national cohesion and integration remains relatively low in the Kenyan context. So far, no specific studies have been done relating to the role ofIslam in addressing the agenda and this study sought to fill the research gap arising thereof. Specifically, the study sought to: Assess the methods used by Islam in promoting national cohesion and integration agenda in Kenya; explore the challenges encountered by Islam in national cohesion and integration efforts; investigate the prospects of Islam in contributing to a cohesive and integrated society and examine the policy framework in place for cohesion and integration activities by Islam in the country.The research will enrich the field of religion in peace and conflict resolution by adding information on the opportunities and resourcefulness of Islam in national cohesion and integration. The study adopted an exploratory research design to help in the discovery of ideas and insights which assisted in a deeper understanding of the phenomenon hence forming the foundation for further inquiries on the subject. The study design was implemented through administering questionnaires to Muslim faithful and Muslimleaders sampled from mosques in Nairobi and Mombasa and national Muslim organizations. The study population in Mombasa was 175,452 adult Muslims while that of Nairobi was 160,941 adult Muslims. For the questionnaires, a samples size calculated from Fisher’s sampling formulae yielded 372 respondents in Mombasa and 150 respondents in Nairobi. The two counties have different ratios of adherents of Islam against the total county population. To enrich the study further, data collection also involved conductingin-depth interviews with officials from Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, Council of Imams and Preachers in Kenta and Sub-County Commissioners in Nairobi and Mombasa. A sample of National Council of Churches in Kenya officials and church leaders were also interviewed as a control measure. The two counties were selected for the study owing to their ethnic and religious diversities and having instances of violence in the past based on ethnic and religious affiliations. The research used a conceptual framework guided by two relevant theories: Functionalist Theory of Religion and National Identity Theory. The functionalist theory of religion was developed by Emile Durkheim and attempts to show how religion acts as glue that holds the society together. NationalIdentity Theory was developed by Antony Smith and involves a sense of common political community, history, values and traditions. The research revealed some involvement of Islam in national cohesion and integration but with efforts slowed by diverse internal and external challenges. Among other things, the research recommends a need for Muslim leaders to formulate a policy framework for cohesion and integration and related tasks. On the academic front, the study recommends specific academic study on how Muslim social utilities like schools and hospitals can be avenues of promoting a cohesive and integrated society in Kenya.