Discuss the classifications of social classes in Kenya.

a) Upper class
The Kenyan upper class comprises about 8% of the population but owns over 90% of the country's wealth. This class can be divided into two: upper-upper and lower-upper class. The former includes families of former and current presidents. They are the aristocracy and large property owners. Members of the upper-upper class have wealth from past generations. The Kenyatta family is an example. The bulk of their wealth comes from inheritance. The family name and the accomplishments of previous generations are as important in determining social rank as the size of the family fortune. Members of this class are born into an atmosphere of wealth and power. Many of their children attend the most prestigious schools such as St Mary's, Kianda and Braeburn or schools abroad. These children socialize with the most famous people in the country and attend the most exclusive recreational places like Windsor Golf Club.
The lower- upper class includes prominent businessmen, government constructors like the Mugoya group of companies, members of parliament and ambassadors. The lower- upper class consists of the `newly rich.' In general, they are people who have acquired wealth through their own efforts rather than inheritance. Members of the lower-upper class are not as prestigious as their counterparts who are identified by a family name. They live in expensive houses and drive luxurious cars.
Generally, upper class membership carries with it great power and influence. Top positions in government and private enterprise are filled by members from the upper class. Their money comes from industry; either from the profits made by industries which they own directly, or income from investments in the stocks and shares of large profit making companies in Kenya and abroad. Members of this class tend to be very conservative.

b) The middle class
This class has two major divisions: the upper middle class and the lower middle class. Members of the former are primarily high income businesspeople and professionals. The majority are usually referred to as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) or Managing Directors. Most have college and university education. Class membership is based on income rather than assets. Many in upper middle class tend to be career oriented. They influence the careers of their children.
Most people in the lower middle class hold white collar jobs i.e. jobs that do not involve manual labour. However, their jobs tend to require less education and provide a lower income than do the jobs in the upper middle class. Lower middle class jobs are in nursing, teaching, middle management and sales. Members of this class live a comfortable life but must work hard to keep what they have achieved.

c) The lower class
Majority of Kenyans belong to this category. It includes the upper-lower class (working class) and the lower -lower class. Many people in the working class are semi-skilled and hold jobs that require manual labour. These jobs are in the juakali (informal) sector and in factories such as canning plants. These jobs do not carry prestige. Members of this class tend to have few financial reserves. An unexpected crisis such as retrenchment has devastating effects on them. The lower-lower class consists of people in unskilled manual jobs such as cleaners, the unemployed, the homeless, some elderly people and the unskilled. These individuals survive from hand to mouth. They lack or have basic education, lack social amenities such as water and sanitation and their future prospects are bleak. Poverty is rampant in this class.

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francis1897 answered the question on August 19, 2022 at 06:53