WAYS USED TO OBTAIN CHEAP LABOR
Intensification of land alienation: The colonial government had to establish many taxes such as hut tax, poll tax and others so as to force the natives to seek for money for paying taxes through being employed by the white setters.
The use of migrant labor: The white settlers were also convinced to use migrant laborers. Migrant laborers were less resistant to hard work.
Establishment of labor colleges and schools: To improve the quality of labor force, the colonial government established colleges and schools where the natives were unskilled with various qualities required by white settlers in their productions. E.g. Farm and veterinary assistants.
Establishment of new feeder roads: Also the colonial government had to establish new infrastructure network such as feeder roads so as to ease the recruitment of many migrant laborers from the interior of Kenya.
The master servant act: In 1906, the colonial government of Kenya enacted the master and servant act. According to this law, the natives were required to stay in their employment until the end of the contract. The act guided the employers and employees in favor of the white settlers.
The native’s registration ordinance: The Kenyan colonial government enacted this ordinance so as to identify the native’s residential areas, working places and movements. The natives were required to carry and wear a special identity card which identifies them. The natives named it KIPANDE SYSTEM. It was a very annoying system to the natives.
Note: These measures solved the problem of lack of constant labor supply to the white settlers to a great extent. On the other hand, those measures multiplied the natives grievances’ and made the colony to be violent than before.
Challenge from Asians:
The Asians demanded for equal rights between races between races in politics, social and economic aspects. This intimidated the future of white settlers’ economic property. This problem was handled through the issuing of the Devonshire white paper in 1923 by the British secretary of colonies.
