Orientation for East Africa Program Lewis and Clark College Spring 2006 Richard Peck

A.  There was little imperial interest in East Africa per se. In fact the British were convinced that only "white" colonies like Canada, US, or Australia could pay for themselves.

B.  Competition arose among European states with a race to sign protective treaties with local "chiefs," largely for reasons having to do with competition for prestige among European countries.

C.  And a race to the headwaters of the Nile began, largely because it was thought to be the key to the survival of Cairo and hence of the Suez Canal, and hence of the link to India.  India was thought to be important to UK’s interests.

D.  Hence, the Mombasa-Uganda railroad was built to facilitate movement of troops and material to the headwaters of the Nile (thought to be in Lake Victoria on the Ugandan side of the Lake). E.  "Coolies" from India were brought in to build the railroad, followed by shopkeepers etc.  They were forbidden from owning land, and were restricted to special areas of the cities in which they could live. F.  White farmers were given land in the highlands so they would use the railroad to ship out their products and the railroad could pay for itself.  These white farmers were seen to be the productive backbone of the economy of the Kenya Colony, a view that coincided with the view expressed in “A” above.  After the world wars, more British soldiers were given land in Kenya to reward their service.

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