Early Forms of Government in Kenya

12 Grade 5 Social Studies questions on Early Forms of Government in Kenya, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   One important role of the council of elders in traditional communities was to:

   A. Print money

   B. Build tarmac roads

   C. Settle disputes among people

   D. Lead a foreign army

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   2 marks

   Name the two forms of early government that existed in Kenya.

   (2 marks)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A group of people born around the same time who formed a unit for leadership and defence was called an:

   A. Kingdom

   B. Age-set

   C. Colony

   D. Empire

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Explain two reasons why early forms of government were important to communities.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any two: they maintained law and order; settled disputes among people; protected the community from enemies; guided the community and preserved unity and customs. (2 marks each)

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   In a certain community there is no single ruler; each clan governs itself through its own elders. This is an example of a government that is:

   A. Centralized

   B. A kingdom

   C. Decentralized

   D. An empire

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   In many decentralized communities, leadership was mainly in the hands of the:

   A. A single king

   B. A governor

   C. Council of elders

   D. A president

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   3 marks

   (a) Give one example of a Kenyan community that had a centralized government.

   (b) State two roles of the leader in such a community.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) The Wanga community (accept other centralized communities) (1 mark). (b) Any two: made laws; kept peace and order; led in defence/war; settled major disputes; led in ceremonies. (1 mark each)

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Among the Maasai, the person who acted as both a religious and a political leader was the:

   A. Laibon

   B. Sultan

   C. Nabongo

   D. Chief

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   3 marks

   State three functions of the council of elders in traditional Kenyan communities.

   (3 marks)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    A community that was ruled by a king was said to have a government that was:

    A. Centralized

    B. Decentralized

    C. Foreign

    D. Modern

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    Differentiate between centralized and decentralized forms of government.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    In a centralized government, power was in the hands of one ruler such as a king who ruled over the whole community (2 marks). In a decentralized government, there was no single ruler; power was shared among clans and elders/age-sets (2 marks).

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The Wanga community was led by a powerful king who held the title:

    A. Nabongo

    B. Sultan

    C. Orkoiyot

    D. Laibon

    (1 mark)

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