 |
| Koitalel Arap Samoe |
THE NANDI WAR IN KENYA
The war occurred in the western part of Kenya from 1895 to 1905. It involved the fighting between the British against the Kalenjia sector of the Nandi. The Nandi were organized under Orkoiyot Koitalel Arap Samoe who was their leader.
THE CAUSES OF THE NANDI WAR
Kamnyole’s prophecy. Kamnyole who was among the ex-orkoiyots of the Nandi prophesized about an iron snake moving from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria. This strange snake meant the coming of Europeans with a lot of destruction to Africans. The iron snake was associated with the railway line across the Nandi land and the British destructions. The Nandi dared to uproot the railway line. This provoked the British to fight.
Nandi’s pride: Their past time war experience made them overconfident to an extent of despising their opponents such as the British. The Nandi were determined to protect their supremacy at any cost.
The construction of the Kenya–Uganda Railway line. During the Railway construction, the Nandi were removed out of their land without being paid. Their daily activities were disturbed. The Nandi revenged by invading the railway posts, Store houses and provoking the British to fight.
Land alienation: The Nandi were forced at of their land by the British officials. Kenya was prepared to be settler colony. The colonial government was preparing land for settler activities.
British occupation. The entire Kenya was to be under British control, including Nandi territories. This threatened the future of Nandi territories politics and sovereignty. The natives wanted to protect their sovereignty.
Kipture treaty: It was signed by the Nandi chiefs with the British. According to the treaty, the Nandi (Kalenjing) had to be gradually removed from their land. This also provoked the Nandi to wage a war.
The murder of Mr. Peter west: He was a British administrator who was murdered by the Nandi soldiers. This triggered the British to fight since they ought to fight the Nandi’s so as to prevent further assassinations and restore order in the colony.
NOTE; the war lasted for many years because of the Nandi’s accumulate experience in fighting, the Nandi fighters’ commitment to defend their sovereignty at any cost, the fighting premises favored the home fighters and good organization of the army.
THE EFFECTS OF THE NANDI WAR
The Africans were negatively affected by the war in various ways including;
Death and casualties. The soldiers died in the battle fields, other natives died of starvation during the war.
Separation of families. Death and displacement of people during the war acted as major agents of separating African (Nandi’s) families.
Stagnation of economic activities. During the fighting, the able “matured” men were involved in the fighting than other economic activities. This led to the decline of food production.
Poverty and famine disturbed the natives’ ability to meet their basic needs and it led to the lack of food at the disposal of the community.
Cattle confiscation during the war, the British fighters confiscated Nandi’s cattle. The Nandi were predominantly pastoralists.
Loss of more land: The Africans (Nandi) lost more land after the war. They became so weak that they couldn’t defend themselves.
Total colonization of the entire Kenya by the British. The Nandi were among of the last stubborn ethnic group which was firmly
