Transformation of White Settler Agriculture in Colonial Kenya: the Case of Molo, Nakuru District, 1904-1963

TRANSFORMATION OF WHITE SETTLER AGRICULTURE IN COLONIAL KENYA: THE CASE OF MOLO, NAKURU DISTRICT, 1904-1963 GRACE WANJIRU NJUGUNA A Thesis Submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in History of Egerton University EGERTON UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2019 DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION Declaration This thesis is my own original work and has not been presented for examination in any other institution. Signature…………………………… Date…………………………. Grace Wanjiru Njuguna AM11/14473/15 Recommendation This research proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as the University supervisors. Signature……………………………… Date ………………………………. Prof. Reuben Matheka Department of Philosophy, History and Religion Signature………………………………. Date…………………………………. Dr Dorothy Nyakwaka Department of Philosophy, History and Religion ii COPYRIGHT © 2019 Grace Wanjiru Njuguna All rights reserved. No portion of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the candidate or Egerton University on behalf of the candidate except for brief quotations of short passages in printed reviews or for purposes of criticism. iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents, Peter Njuguna and Mary Waithira. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank God for the opportunity to be in school and the strength, providence and health to write my thesis. I acknowledge Egerton University for the opportunity to pursue my Master’s Degree in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Sincere gratitude to the department of Philosophy, History and Religious Studies for the support and guidance. Am grateful to Dr Isaac Tarus, chair of the department, for his support, encouragement and guidance. Sincere appreciation also go to the supervisors, Prof. Reuben Matheka and Dr Dorothy Nyakwaka, who have helped with ideas, recommending sources, reading the document and giving feedback on time and offering words of encouragement. I humbly acknowledge the staff of the Kenya National Archives who helped a lot in locating files that were necessary for this work. I sincerely appreciate my parents, Peter Njuguna and Mary Waithira, for financial, moral and spiritual support and siblings, Grace Wangari, Monicah Mugure, Joseph Mwangi and Amu Wanjiku for the encouragement and assistance in typing this work. Special thanks to my course mates, Paul Talbum and Joseph Mboche, whose suggestions, ideas and criticisms helped improve my work. Special appreciations to Victor Cheruiyot for his assistance during data collection. I would also like to thank Reverend Godfrey Nganga, for prayers and encouragement that kept me strong, motivated and hopeful. v ABSTRACT The study examined the transformation of white settler agriculture in the Molo area during the colonial period. Settler farming was an important aspect of the colonial economy in Kenya. Settler farming in Molo area was introduced due to a combination of economic and geographical factors. The study first discussed the origin of European settlement in Molo in the early colonial period up to 1918. The study further examined agricultural changes in the inter-war period (1919-1938) in Molo. An assessment of the organisation of settler agriculture in Molo from 1939 to 1951 was made. Finally, an analysis of the changes that took place in white settler agriculture in Molo from 1952 to independence was carried out. The study period commences in 1904 when land alienation for white settlement in Molo started. It was also in 1904 that the first settlers, Major Webb and Jasper Abraham, settled in Mariashoni and Kweresoi (Kuresoi) in Molo area respectively. Settler dominance in Molo was essentially a consequence of discriminatory economic policies adopted by the colonial state. The white settlers aimed to make strides in agricultural production because of their cumulative experiences, availability of infrastructure, capital and government support. This study was guided by Colonial Capitalism Theory. The theory posits that the colonial mode of capitalist production was dependent upon the colonial state in all major areas of economic growth. The theory also helped to explain the various forms of state support that the colonial government offered to the white settlers to make settler agriculture successful. Data was collected from informants through oral interviews and from the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi. Informants were identified through purposive sampling and snowball sampling. A total of eighty informants were interviewed. Secondary sources such as books, journals and newspapers were also used. Data was analysed historically, thematically and logically. The research findings show that the success of white settler agriculture in Molo was attributed to the support that white settlers received from the colonial government. For the whole programme to work, African agriculture was neglected and received no support. Africans were compelled to work for the white settlers. Finally, data has been presented in a qualitative form which is descriptive in nature. The study has thus helped fill the knowledge gap in agricultural history. vi LIST OF ABREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS AAO Agricultural Advances Ordinance ALDEV African Land Development APSB Agricultural Provision and Settlement Board CAAB Central Agricultural Advances Board CCO Cattle Cleansing Ordinance CDB Commodity Distribution Board CLO Crown Land Ordinance DA Department of Agriculture EAC Egerton Agricultural College EASB European Agricultural Settlement Board FWW First World War GAWU General Agricultural Workers’ Union GD Great Depression KAR King’s African Rifles KFA Kenya Farmers Association KNFU Kenya National Farmers Union LCO Legislative Council Order LPR Lumbwa Pass Rules NDC Nakuru District Council NEO Native Employment Ordinance NRO Native Registration Ordinance OI Oral Interviews Rs Rupees RVP Rift Valley Province SBMC Supply Board Meat Control SCHB Settlers Controlled Highland Board SWW Second World War WBP Wheat Breeding Programme WW I World War One WW II World War Two WO Wheat Ordinance vii GLOSSARY OF TERMS Kiswahili Terms Askari Security Officer Baraza A meeting Boma Homestead Fitina Malice Jembe Hoe Kikapu Basket Kipande Passbook Mzungu White person Ngombe za Ulaya Grade Cattle Nyapara Supervisor Rungu Knobkerry viii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION ....................................................................... ii COPYRIGHT ............................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ ix LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Justification for the Study ..................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study ...................................................................................... 4 1.7 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................... 4 1.8 Literature Review .................................................................................................................. 5 1.8.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.8.2 Early European Settlement in Kenya ............................................................................. 5 1.8.3 European Agriculture in the Inter-War Period ............................................................... 7 1.8.5 Impact of African Unrest on Settler Agriculture ......................................................... 12 1.9 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 13 1.10 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 15 1.10.1 Area of the Study ......................................................................................................

Load more