Colonial Paternalism, Parasitism, Domination and Control in Kenya, 1895-1952

Abstract

The subject colonial domination and control has not been systematically explored in historical studies, perhaps because of colonial subjugation and harassment. The subject continues to attract attention because of the traumatic awareness it offers of the wickedness of man to man, expressed through the ruthlessness, evil, abuse, oppression, and the highest degree of exploitation by colonialists in Kenya. It can be argued that poverty, underdevelopment, technological backwardness, and other ills of modern society has its roots in colonialism.  It is also observed that several instruments of colonial rule, on the application of so-called ‘order and justice,' exclusion of the people from decision-making, and inequity in access to power and resources have survived colonial domination. Therefore, this paper focuses on the various apparatus of political domination and control introduced by the colonial state to foster a new social order and control in Kenya. Equally the paper will provide information on how these apparatuses influenced the community's reaction to the imposition of colonial rule. Colonialism led to confinement to specific boundaries with specific consequences. This study will demonstrate that colonialism and its agencies was an apparatus of political domination and control