Impact of British Colonialism on Land Question in Africa

The infamous colonial race in Africa at the turn of 19th century changed Africa in numerous dimensions. Europeans spread modern infrastructure, bureaucracies, culture and modern commerce to Africa. Regrettably, they also created a legacy of landlessness, poverty and perennial ethno-territorial land contests across the continent. The author reconstructs how the British establishment of a colony in Kenya led to the destruction of Bukusu golden era and escalation of the land problem. This was done through alienation of their ancestral land, destruction of forts, dismantling of cottage industries and establishment of colonial rule. Moreover, for sixty years their political economy was disrupted as they were rendered labourers on settler farms. Further, their human labour and natural resources were exploited to unimaginable scale. This unfortunately happened as British settlers, multi-nationals and colonial government ripped off huge profits from a value chain that oppressed Bukusu. This book will come handy to historians, anthropologists, policy makers, conflict experts and those interested in evaluating 20th century European occupation of Africa and its surviving legacy.