A BIOGRAPHY OF MOSES BUDAMBA MUDAVADI, 1923-1989

Abstract

Moses Mudavadi a Loogoli or Maragoli born in Vihiga district was a grandee civil servant in colonial and nascent Kenya. The absence of an authentic and documented history on the legendary politician dubbed "King of Mululu" necessitated the study titled " A Biography of Moses Budamba Mudavadi, 1923 - 1989" The purpose of the study was to examine the life and times of Moses Mudavadi in the colonial era, the president Kenyatta epoch and the president Moi regime. The study anchored on Stogdill (1974) trait theory of leadership per se the big five factor model. It deployed historical research design, purposive and snowball sampling techniques that sampled 30 respondents from a target population of 307, 815 people - residents of Vihiga County in Kenya. The data was collected using field research and library search. . It was analyzed using narrative, conversation and content techniques; presented in prose. The findings actualized the findings. They showed that Moses Mudavadi was born in Vihiga district in 1923, was well educated during colonial era and served in the Ministry of education and tourism, made first entry in parliament in 1976 and a coveted minister in President Moi regime between 1979 and 1989. He demised in early1989. Had failures depicted by his temperamental character and blind support of President Moi`s populism that plummeted Kenya`s economy in 1980`s. His legacy was wrapped in his amiability, benevolence, projects he initiated and his renowned son cum formidable politician - Musalia Mudavadi. It was recommended that a book to be written from the thesis for posterity and another research of the kind to be carried out using a different design and methods.