1 THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE AFRICAN AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES OF KENYA’S NYANZA REGION, 1901 – 2002 BY OMENYA GORDON ONYANGO Reg. No C50/50/5068/03 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY. MAY 2010 DECLARATION 2 This thesis is my original work and has not been submitted for a degree in any other university. _______________________Signature Date______________________ Omenya Gordon Onyango Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision. ____________________________ Signature Date___________________ Dr. Mildred A.J Ndeda Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies ______________________Signature Date______________________________ Dr Edward N.W. Kisiang’ani Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies ____________________________ Signature Date____________________ Dr. Samson M. Omwoyo Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies DEDICATION To my mother Apiyo (Nyar Okuche), maternal grandmother Dereda, my late brother Evans (dock) and fiancee Jane, as well as to all the orphaned children. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to Kenyatta University for offering me the opportunity to undertake my Masters of Arts studies and opening my eyes to the significance of scholarship. I would like to appreciate the scholarly input of my tireless supervisors Dr Mildred Ndeda, Dr Edward W. Kisiang‟ani and Dr Samson Omwoyo who initiated me into the world of research. For my thesis to take this shape, many people have made immense contributions. Without my numerous respondents I would not have had data for this study. I would also like to thank Dr F. Kiruthu, Dr G. Murunga, Dr P. Kakai, Dr P. Wekesa and Madam Susan Owino for their input and guidance which contributed to the success of this work. I cannot forget my postgraduate colleagues, Eliud Lubanda, Geoffreyson Khamala, Philip Chemelil, Martha Muraya, Isaiah Oduor and Nixon Mwangi who shared their views with me and consoled me when the going got tough 4 at some point. My sincere thanks also go to the entire staff of History department of Kenyatta University for their moral support during my studies. I would like to acknowledge my dad for giving me the opportunity to pursue my studies. I also acknowledge the encouragement, support and sacrifice given to me by my sisters and brothers. I am indebted to my cousins Molly and Morris for their financial support which enabled me to stay in Nairobi as I pursued my studies. I would also like to thank aunty Phoeby (Nyar Ng‟iya) for ensuring a steady supply of pocket money to me. The technological support provided to me by my former roommate Orao James was invaluable and due to that I was able to type my work without incurring any extra expenses. Omondi, J. of the Kenya National Archives was a great support. Mr A.D Bojana also deserves special gratitude for editing the final work. Last but not least, I would like to thank my fiancée Jane for her encouragement and long wait. It is impossible to name all the people that gave me support but to all of them I owe my greatest appreciation. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page............................................................................................................. i Declaration ......................................................................................................... ii Dedication............................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgement............................................................................................... iv Table of Content……… …………………………………………………….. v Glossary of Luo Terms............................................................................................. ix List of Abbreviation.………………………………………….………………… x Abstract………….................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Context of the problem ........................................................................................ 1 1.2 Literature Review................................................................................................. 7 1.3 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 19 1.4 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................ 20 1.5 Research Premises ............................................................................................... 21 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study .......................................................... 21 1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study....................................................................... 23 1.8 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 24 1.9 Research Methodology ........................................................................................ 36 1.9.1 Study Locale ..................................................................................................... 36 1.9.2 A map showing Kisumu, Kendu Bay, Yala and Ndere areas of Kenya‟s Nyanza Region…………………………………………………………………………………4 2 1.9.3 Research Design................................................................................................ 43 1.9.4 Research Instruments and Equipments ............................................................. 43 1.9.5 Data Collection ................................................................................................. 45 1.9.6 Data Analysis .................................................................................................... 46 1.10 Summary and Conclusion .................................................................................. 47 CHAPTER TWO 6 2.0 THE ROOTS OF MODERN ASIAN PRESENCE IN KENYA: SOME REFLECTIONS ON THEIR ORIGIN AND SETTLEMENT 2.1 introduction .......................................................................................................... 48 2.2 Explaining the Asians Entry into Kenya .............................................................. 48 2.3 The First Indian Settlement in Nyanza, Kibos Area ............................................ 57 2.4 The Nyando Indian Settlement in Nyanza Province ............................................ 70 2.5 Summary and Conclusion .................................................................................... 71 CHAPTER THREE 3.0 THE AFRO – ASIAN RELATIONS IN EARLY COLONIAL PERIOD 1900- 1918 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 73 3.2 The Emergence of Afro-Asian Economic Interaction in Kisumu, Kendu Bay, Ndere and Yala Up to 1918…………………………………………………………….... 74 3.3 Afro-Asian Political Relations in Nyanza to 1918 .............................................. 96 3.4 Afro-Asian Social Relations in the Early Colonial Period to 1918 ..................... 99 3.4.1 Education .......................................................................................................... 99 3.4.2 Housing ............................................................................................................. 103 3.5 Summary and Conclusion .................................................................................... 109 CHAPTER FOUR 4.0 PERIOD THE AFRO-ASIAN RELATIONS IN THE INTERWAR AND DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1919-1945 4.1 introduction .......................................................................................................... 111 4.2 The Afro – Asian Economic Relations in the Interwar Period ............................ 112 4.3 Afro-Asian Relations and the Cotton Industry in the Interwar Period ............... 122 4.4 Political Participation and Afro-Asian Relations In the Inter War and During the Second World War Period 1919-45………………………………………………... 140 7 4.5 Afro-Asian Social Relations During the Inter War and Second World War Period...………………………………………………………..………………….. 145 4.5.1 Housing ............................................................................................................. 145 4.5.2 Education .......................................................................................................... 150 4.6 Summary and Conclusion .................................................................................... 154 CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 THE AFRO-ASIAN RELATIONS IN LUO NYANZA IN THE PERIOD 1945- 1963 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 156 5.2 Afro-Asian Economic Interactions in the Period 1945-1963 .............................. 157 5.3 Afro-Asian Relations, the Government and the Cotton Industry in Nyanza ………………............................................................................................................ 163.............................................................................................................................. 5.4 Afro –Asian Interaction and Political Participation in Nyanza 1945-63 ............. 168 5.5 The Afro-Asian Social Interaction 1945-1963 .................................................... 183 5.5.1 Education