Question

Discuss five consequences of colonial land policies in Kenya.

Answer 1

• Large tracts of land were declared White Highlands leading to loss of land by Africans
• Africans were restricted to the reserves which were characterized by overcrowding/ overstocking/ soil degradation
• Africans became squatters on their own land leading to misery/ poverty 
• It led to introduction of a new system of land tenure/ individual land ownership 
• Classes within African societies emerged as the few Africans to seek employment in the settler farms in order to raise money to pay the tax
• It led to introduction of the Kipande system which limited/ restricted the movement of Africans
• It led to the development of African nationalism to agitate for the plight of Africans
• It led to forced labor whereby African Chiefs were required to recruit workers for the European farmers/ effects of the Northey circular
• It led to the introduction of poll tax which forced Africans to seek wage employment in the settler farms in order to raise money to pay the tax.