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...

  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...