GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

  Various factors led to the defeat of African communities by the British during the establishment of colonial rule in Kenya as follows: The communities were not united. While some like the Nandi resisted, Others like the Wanga collaborated with British rule. They had inferior weapons which were no much for British fire-arms. African soldiers had little knowledge of the British military tactics. They had been weakened by catastrophes such as famine, Rinderpest outbreak and civil strife in the 1890s. Their leaders lacked organizational skills to mobilize the people against the British. The British used treachery when dealing with some communities e.g. the Nandi. The British destroyed the economic base of the communities, thus making them weak. The warriors got demoralized when many of their colleagues and leaders were captured and killed. The Kenya-Uganda railway facilitated faster movement of British troops RELATED POSTS 9 CONDITIONS FAVOURING IRRIGATION FARMING IN EGYPT 5 CAUSES O...

  Luhyia oral tradition traces their origin to an area called Misiri. Historical evidence shows that Abaluhyia resulted from intermarriage between various ethnic groups in the course of their migration into Kenya. Buluhyia is an area in which Nilotes, Bantu and some Cushites interacted. Luhyia migration and settlement into Kenya started around 300AD. Their most recent ancestors spread from eastern Uganda from around 1300AD. Most of them may have originated from the mount Elgon region and then settled in Bukhayo, Marama, Tiriki, Bunyore, Wanga, Maragoli, Marachi, Kisa, Samia, Idakho, Isukha, Bungoma and other Bukusu areas, Bunyala, Busonga, etc. As they migrated, they assimilated other groups, such as the southern and eastern Cushites as well as Southern Nilotes. Between 1550-1750AD, Luhyia society began to take shape. By 1883, Abaluhyia had fully emerged as a community. Abaluhyia interacted with Nilotic speakers such as the Maasai, Kalenjin and Luo, which led to a lot of cultural e...

  Abagusi may have originated from a place known to them as Misiri, under their ruler and ancestor called Kwitu. From Misiri, Abagusi and some Abaluhyia groups migrated to the Mount Elgon region where they lived for several generations. Around 1500AD, Abagusi, Abakuria and a section of Abalogoli migrated down Nzoyia river valley and settled at Goye in Yimbo and near Ramogi hill and other areas on the eastern shores of lake Victoria. Due to arrival of Luo Ancestors In the lake region around 1550AD, Abagusi were pushed to Alego, Kisumu, Sakwa and Asembo areas. Shortly after 1600AD, drought forced Abagusi to migrate and settle in the Kano plains. Their farther migration eastwards brought them into conflicts with the Kipsigis. Because of this, they moved to the fertile Kisii highlands and other parts of their present homeland, such as Kitutu, South Mugirango and others. In spite of conflicts with the Luo, Maasai and Kipsigis, Abagusi exhibited and practised good interaction, due to whi...