GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

  After subduing indigenous Kenyan communities, the British embarked on establishing a Central and local government for efficient and effective administration. The subjection of Kenyan Africans to British rule was accomplished when the seat of colonial administration was shifted from Zanzibar to Nairobi in 1905. The following are factors that undermined British efforts to establish a good system of administration in Kenya up to 1914 They lacked both funds and experts to facilitate colonial administration in Africa, let alone Kenya. They lacked a Reference model of an administrative system like that of the traditional Buganda that could be emulated by Kenyan communities for the purpose of administration. Most of the chiefs selected by the British lacked legitimacy, for they were rejected by the African elders, who regarded them as nonentities as well as the young generations, who saw them as instruments of colonial exploitation and oppression. Many chiefs used their power to acquire...

  The following were the weaknesses of local government in colonial Kenya The chronic shortage of trained and experienced personnel. Poor transport and communication . Inadequate coordination. Lack of mineral resources. Rivalry between settlers and locals. More revolts as African struggle for freedom intensified. Inadequate revenue for Development programs, projects and day To day operations RELATED POSTS 9 CONDITIONS FAVOURING IRRIGATION FARMING IN EGYPT 5 CAUSES OF RURAL-RURAL MIGRATION IN KENYA 10 AIMS OF KILOMBERO VALLEY IRRIGATION SCHEME 4 FEATURES OF MAP STATEMENT SCALE 10 ADVANTAGES OF OIL PRODUCTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST 7 DISADVANTAGES OF AIR TRANSPORT 10 PROBLEMS FACING COFFEE FARMING IN KENYA IMPACTS OF POVERTY ON ENVIRONMENT 10 PROBLEMS FACING COTTON FARMING IN UGANDA COMPARISON BETWEEN FISHING IN KENYA AND JAPAN

  The following were the effects of the establishment of local government in colonial Kenya Maintenance of law and order through a small police force set up in 1896. Arbitration of African disputes through the District African Courts. The exploitation of local resources and initiatives in development.. The 1906 Indian police act, which established a police force for the Kenyan colony. Development of infrastructure and the general welfare of the African sector. Creation of a link between the central government and the local people. RELATED POSTS 9 CONDITIONS FAVOURING IRRIGATION FARMING IN EGYPT 5 CAUSES OF RURAL-RURAL MIGRATION IN KENYA 10 AIMS OF KILOMBERO VALLEY IRRIGATION SCHEME 4 FEATURES OF MAP STATEMENT SCALE 10 ADVANTAGES OF OIL PRODUCTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST 7 DISADVANTAGES OF AIR TRANSPORT 10 PROBLEMS FACING COFFEE FARMING IN KENYA IMPACTS OF POVERTY ON ENVIRONMENT 10 PROBLEMS FACING COTTON FARMING IN UGANDA COMPARISON BETWEEN FISHING IN KENYA AND JAPAN

  There was a scarcity of mineral wealth and profitable export commodities which made it difficult for the company to generate enough wealth to meet the cost of administration. There was a poor transport network which made the movement of goods slow/ difficult/ expensive thereby making the enterprise less profitable. There was a lack of proper coordination between the company headquarters in Britain and the officials in Kenya hence delays/ waste and misunderstandings. The company officials lacked the experience which was necessary for the success of the administration in the protectorate. Some of the company officials were corrupt and therefore concentrated on their personal enrichment at the expense of the enterprise. Resistance from the local communities posed a great challenge to the company as it had to administer and at the same time suppress the communities. There was inadequate capital to carry out its operations thus making the administration of the protectorate ineffec...

  At the head of the Colonial administration was the Colonial Secretary based in London. At first the Headquarters was in Zanzibar . By 1900 it was transferred to Mombasa . The Governor was the head of the Colony. He was advised by an Advisory Council set up later. An executive council also emerged to ensure implementation of colonial policies A legislative council was set up in 1907 to make colonial laws with the governors assent. For easy centralization of authority, the colony was divided into administrative provinces headed by Provincial Commissioners Provinces were further divided into districts under District Commissioners and Officers, Manned by White Officers. Below them were the Chief heading locations under the Chiefs, Authority Act - They were Africans. Under them were the village headmen. N/B The Chiefs main duties were to collect taxes, recruit African labour and maintain law and order at grassroots.   There was a very strict chain of command. RELATED POSTS...

 HERE IS HOW INDIRECT RULE WAS APPLIED IN UGANDA AND KENYA The British used the local chiefs in the counties, sub-counties, parishes, sub parishes and villages. The British divided their colony into provinces, districts, counties and many smaller units. Many societies signed treaties that made it acceptable for them to be under the British rule . It was also applied by using collaborators who were mainly Baganda like Semei Kakungulu, who spread the system to other areas. The chiefs who assisted the British were given programs like supervising road construction, collecting taxes and so on. In areas where people resisted like Bunyoro, Karamoja, Northern Uganda and the Nandi land, force was used. Communication lines were constructed to reach rebellious areas. The Chartered companies were also used. In Kenya most white settlers were used to administer on behalf of the British . The missionaries too, were used to implement indirect rul e. The colonial army and police were rec...