The period of
colonial history Kenya began with the
Berlin Conference in 1885. Before the conference, the power over Kenya's fate had shifted from
Arabs to the
Portuguese and then again to the Arabs finally landing in the hands of
Britain.
Europe's interest in Kenya( established by mid-19th century) emanated from European eagerness of exploration and discovery. As they entered Kenya and moved inwards they unearthed the beauty and fertility of the land. Thus began Europe's long relation with Kenya with it gaining control on this East African country and Kenya came under British dominance.
During the initial period of Colonial history of Kenya under British crown, the British targeted at bringing Kenya under the
imperial rule and improving the condition of the country-- developing its economy and bettering the welfare of the native population. But the British exploited the natives and stole their lands and soon set up an aggressive rule colored by political and racial
dominance and establishment of limitations on the Kenyans. The process of colonization of Kenya that had begun in 1885 through a
'divide and rule' policy ended in 1920 when Kenya officially became an English colony.
The period of colonial history of Kenya was marked by social pressures and oppression. The English curbed the voice of the Kenyans and took away their rights of political participation and other rights.
These imperialistic policies of England provoked a growing resentment amongst the Kenyans which culminated in the formation of the
Kikuyu association in 1921 to fight for the rights of the Africans. Though the English were successful in suppressing it in 1925 the members came together again and formed the Kikuyu association. In 1930
Kenyatta's campaigns for gaining the rights of the Africans came into force but there was no progress till after World war 2.
Kenya, thus, has a colonial history marked by oppression, exploitation and racial tensions that ended as late as 1963 when Kenya attained independence.
