Economic Aspects of British Colonialism in Kenya, 1895 to 1930

Abstract

This dissertation has two parts. The intent of first is to establish importance of economic benefits which accrued to British economy by virtue of Britain's relationship with certain territories in her empire. The intent of second and major part is to analyze one of these territories, Kenya, in terms of implications and consequences for its economic development of its colonial status. Kenya's colonial period, particularly its first twenty-five years as a British territory-1895 to 1930-was period when basic outlines of modem Kenyan economy were conceived and then implemented by imperial officials. The latter totally transformed patterns of economic behavior among African populations, orienting African life thereafter toward economic objectives derived from London's perception of needs of her imperial economy. This dissertation seeks to ascertain why, how, and with what consequences this economic transformation was effected. Contrary to assertions of some scholars in field, by end of nineteenth century, Britain had developed a coordinated set of significantly beneficial economic relationships with her colonial possessions, including those rapidly acquired after 1870.1 The latter, often called the new empire, comprised chiefly territories in Asia and Africa. Britain developed them into important suppliers of food and raw materials and usually, to a lesser degree, into absorbers of British capital and manufactured exports.2 In these exports, Britain confronted growing, world-wide competition, chiefly from Germany and United States. She also faced, internally, advanced stages of decline of her agriculture alongside a steady concentration of productive assets. Consequently, pressure for secure sources of food and raw materials mounted with search for secure outlets for exports and capital. Between 1870 and 1913 British manufacturing industry sharply increased its dependence on imports of raw materials. Before World War I almost 50 percent of British pig iron production used imported ores, while between 80 and 100 percent of tin, copper, lead, and zinc consumed was imported. All raw cotton and an increasing share of raw wool consumed had to be imported as well. By 1910 share of imports