The System · Kenya
British Colonial Rule
British rule in Kenya began with a trading company and a railway, and grew into a settler colony built on African land and labour.
The Imperial British East Africa Company gave way to the East Africa Protectorate in 1895. The Uganda Railway (1896–1901), built largely by about 32,000 indentured Indian workers, opened the interior. To make it pay, officials encouraged European settlement in the highlands, which became the 'White Highlands'.
Hut and poll taxes forced Africans into wage labour, and from 1920 the kipande pass system controlled their movement. Kenya became a Crown Colony in 1920. When Harry Thuku organised protests against these laws in 1922, police fired on the crowd, killing at least 21 people.
Timeline
- 1895
East Africa Protectorate declared.
- 1901
Uganda Railway reaches Lake Victoria.
- 1920
Kenya becomes a Crown Colony; kipande enforced.
- 1922
Harry Thuku arrested; protesters shot in Nairobi.
- 1923
Devonshire Declaration says African interests are 'paramount'.
Key vocabulary
- Protectorate
- A territory controlled by a foreign power, claimed to be for its protection.
- Kipande
- A registration pass that African men were forced to carry.
Discussion prompt
Why would a colonial government use taxes to push people into working for settlers?
Quiz time
1. When did Kenya become a Crown Colony?
2. What was the pass African men had to carry?
Answer every quiz question correctly above to mark this sub-topic complete.