Account for differential rural development in Kenya during colonial rule.

Differential rural development in Kenya during colonial rule can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Land Alienation: Large tracts of fertile land, especially in the Kenya Highlands, were alienated for European settlers. This led to the development of settler agriculture and infrastructure in these areas, while other regions were neglected.
2. Cash Crop Cultivation: The colonial administration promoted the cultivation of cash crops such as coffee, tea, and pyrethrum in areas with favorable climates and soils. Regions that were suitable for these crops received more investment and development.
3. Infrastructure Development: Infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Kenya-Uganda Railway, were concentrated in areas that were economically important to the colonial administration. This included regions with settler farms and cash crop plantations.
4. Labor Policies: The demand for labor on European-owned farms and plantations led to the migration of laborers from less developed regions to areas with better economic opportunities. This migration contributed to the development of certain regions while leaving others underdeveloped.
5. Colonial Economic Policies: The colonial administration’s economic policies favored the development of areas that were economically beneficial to the colonial economy. This included regions with valuable resources and agricultural potential.
6. Neglect of Indigenous Agriculture: The colonial administration often disregarded indigenous agricultural practices and focused on European methods. This led to decreased agricultural productivity in regions that were not prioritized for cash crop cultivation.

These factors combined to create significant disparities in rural development across different regions of Kenya during the colonial period.

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Dr. Bbosa Science