The Colonial Government and the Establishment of Cotton Production in Bungoma County, Kenya (1895-1923)

• Author(s): Sostine Wanjala Mukhebi ; Paul Opondo ; Margaret Nanjala Matisi
• Paper ID: 1706137
• Page: 217-222
• Published Date: 07-08-2024
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 2 August-2024

Abstract

This study examines the role of the British colonial government in introducing and establishing cotton production in Bungoma County, Kenya, between 1895 and 1923. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates archival records, oral histories, and secondary literature to analyze the policies, strategies, and impacts of early cotton cultivation in the region. The study finds that the colonial administration strategically introduced cotton as part of its broader economic policy to generate revenue and secure raw materials for British industries. Colonial strategies for promoting cotton included infrastructure development, extension services, and controlled marketing arrangements. While cotton brought new economic opportunities to Bungoma County, it also reshaped local agricultural systems and social structures in profound ways. Early cotton cultivation faced significant challenges, including environmental issues, labor demands, and resistance from some local communities. Quantitative data show a rapid expansion of cotton production, with acreage increasing from negligible amounts in 1910 to 10,000 acres by 1925. The study concludes that the introduction of cotton initiated long-term changes in land use, labor allocation, and social structures in rural areas, contributing to the region's integration into global market systems. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between colonial economic objectives and local realities in shaping agricultural development in East Africa during the early 20th century.

Keywords

Colonial Government, Establishment of Cotton Production

Citations

IRE Journals:
Sostine Wanjala Mukhebi , Paul Opondo , Margaret Nanjala Matisi "The Colonial Government and the Establishment of Cotton Production in Bungoma County, Kenya (1895-1923)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 2 2024 Page 217-222

IEEE:
Sostine Wanjala Mukhebi , Paul Opondo , Margaret Nanjala Matisi "The Colonial Government and the Establishment of Cotton Production in Bungoma County, Kenya (1895-1923)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(2)