"Economic transformation in rural Kenya: a case study Tiriki division,1902 - 1963"

Abstract

The focus of this case study is the economic transformation that took place in Tiriki during the colonial period and the effects of the transformation. The study spans the period from the time the whole of western Kenya was separated from Uganda and became part of Kenya in 1902, until the achievement of independence in 1963. The colonial period represents the most profound change in Tirikiland. With the establishment of colonial rule, the Tiriki were subject to a number of forces working towards change. Their incorporation in a new, very large political entity, which threw together many formerly independent African peoples and which also attracted European and Asian immigrant had far-reaching changes on them. Along with a radically new political order, colonial rule also set in motion economic forces which worked to ,diversify the economy of the Tiriki and to integrate it into the world economy. It is the argument of this study that colonialism transformed the pre-colonial Tiriki economic structure and organization. The alien rule created new economic structure and consequently the economic organization and, production also changed. The study shows that the pre-colonial Tiriki economic systems underwent a far reaching transformation. In its turn, this transformatien had profound effects s on the economic structure and organization of the Tiriki society. The material for this study is derived from written sources which include reports from Kenya National Archives, Church reports, government publications, books, articles and dissertations. Oral interviews collected from individuals who participated in or directly observed the events of the period also provide useful information .