IMPACT OF SETTLER ECONOMY IN KENYA AND EAST AFRICA AND OTHER AREAS OF AFRICA
It made the settlers claims to be independent from the metropolitan capitalist (free from the British influence). Example the “Unilateral Declaration of Independence” in Southern Rhodesia {Zimbabwe} in 1965 under Ian Smith.
The natives lost their land: the white settlers took the best land e.g. The Kenyan highlands and the rift valley. The Africans were pushed to the reserved places (squatters) which were unproductive.
Establishment of the laws to supply labour to the settlers’ farm. The settlers and the colonial states worked together (control state machinery). The laws which were established include:-
In 1906 the masters and servants act the natives dwelling in the squatters were required to offer labour services for 90 days in a squatters were paid 3 rupees per month.
In 1918, the resident native labour ordinance was enacted. It increased the days labour services from 90 days to 180 days and the normal payment were reduced.
In 1921, the native legislation ordnance (Kipande system) was enacted. Every actual man had to serve (work) to the white settlers.
In 1915, the “Crown land” act gave the rights to the settlers to use land for 999 years.
In 1923, the Devonshire white paper stopped the influence of the white settlers in Kenya.
Kenya became the most violent colony than any other East African colony. The natives experienced many grievances than other colonies. The MAUMAU uprising is an evidence of what the natives felt.
Existence of many international financial institution and the multinational companies e.g. Barclays Bank, the insurance companies, clearing and forwarding companies and so on.
Many natives got access to high leaning institutions in Kenya and in Britain than the natives in other East African colonies. Education became one of the refuges of the landless Kenyans.
In Kenya the Africans land tenure system of shifting cultivation wasn’t regarded, also the nomadic life of the natives was over locked e.g. The Maasai nomadic life.
The white settlers established plantation farms in the Kenyan highland and in the rift valley to grow wheat, pyrethrum, maize, tea coffee. In Thika (coastal region) they established sisal plantations.
They also established livestock keeping e.g. Lord Delamere established an animal form in the rift valley (near Lake Elementaita in Laikipia). He kept cattle pigs and sheep.
