UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

THG 201
August, 2023

VICTOR OSORO OMARE

E35/3402/2019

Assignment: Assess the social and economic impact of colonialism in East Africa. Give
examples.

An assessment of the social and economic impacts of colonialism it's legacy in East
Africa

Colonialism in East Africa, was a period between the late 19th to mid-20th century, brought
major and lasting changes to the social and economic landscape of the region. European
powers, driven by economic interests and imperial ambitions, imposed their rule upon various
East African societies, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape social and economic
aspects to this day. Through examples we can better understand this impact and the legacy
they have had on East Africa in the social and economic aspects.

Social
One of the most significant social consequences of colonial rule was the cultural transformation
experienced by East African societies. European colonisers often viewed their own culture as
superior, leading to the imposition of European languages, religions, and educational systems.
In Kenya, for example, the British colonial administration introduced English as the medium of
instruction in schools, replacing indigenous languages. This shift not only marginalized local
languages but also eroded traditional knowledge systems and cultural practices, undermining
the sense of identity and heritage among East African communities.

Moreover, colonial powers manipulated ethnic divisions to further their own interests, leaving a
legacy of ethnic tensions that continues to impact the region. In Rwanda, the Belgian colonizers
favored the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority, reinforcing already existing social hierarchies.
This manipulation of ethnic identities culminated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, a tragic
event that resulted in part from the colonial legacy of division and discrimination.

The imposition of new economic systems also contributed to social upheaval. Colonial powers
established cash-crop economies, demanding the cultivation of crops such as coffee, tea, and
cotton for export. This shift from subsistence agriculture to cash-crop production disrupted
traditional ways of life and communal structures. For instance, the British introduced the hut tax
in Kenya, forcing communities to cultivate cash crops to pay the tax. This has led to food
insecurity an issue that is still faced upto today. This continued food insecurity has caused East
African countries to become overly reliant on western countries for aid which has become a way
of them to exploit Africans by dangling aid to manipulate them.
Traditional institutions and social hierarchies were further undermined by colonial rule.
European powers often appointed local collaborators as intermediaries between colonial
authorities and the local population. These appointed leaders were given authority and
privileges, disrupting existing power structures and sometimes community tensions as people
did not trust them and saw them as traitors usually.

Economic
One of the most visible economic consequences of colonial rule was the exploitation of East
Africa's abundant natural resources. European colonizers, seeking to enrich their home
countries, extracted valuable minerals and commodities from the region. This resources might
include raw materials from agriculture, minerals among others. This exploitative approach
resulted in environmental degradation, displacement of local communities, and unequal
distribution of wealth, as the profits flowed primarily to the colonizing powers. After the
colonisers left, this was not redistributed properly but grabbed by elites continuing a legacy of
wealth inequality in all East African countries.

Furthermore, the colonial powers introduced cash-crop agriculture as a means to generate

revenue for their economies. East African economies were reshaped to meet the demands of
European markets, resulting in the establishment of monoculture systems for crops such as
coffee, tea, and cotton. In Kenya, for instance, coffee and tea plantations were established by
British colonizers, leading to a significant shift from subsistence farming to cash-crop cultivation.
This focus on cash crops undermined local food security and stifled economic diversification.

The colonial economy undermined traditional industries such as metal working, basket weaving,
traditional medicine. This led to a decline of previously thriving industries and local economies.
One of the reason is the Europeans saw competition in this industries thus made policies to
favour their own while undermining traditional ones. Also if Africans could sustain themselves,
how could the Europeans get cheap labour, hence deliberately dismantling African industries to
get the labour who now needed work to pay the exploitative taxes set up by Europeans.

Colonial infrastructure development was made with a focus on serving the interests of the
colonisers. Railways and roads were constructed to facilitate the transportation of resources
from the interior to coastal ports, where they could be exported to European markets. While
these infrastructure projects improved connectivity within the region, they were primarily
designed to serve colonial economic interests, neglecting local needs and economic
diversification. An example is the Kenya Uganda railway which connected resource rich areas in
British East Africa. The British neglected to build transport network to areas they viewed as not
having many resources which caused those communities to be marginalised which is a legacy
that continues to date such as Northern Kenya.

Moreover, the colonial legacy influenced trade patterns and economic relationships long after
the end of colonial rule. East African countries often found themselves locked into trade
relationships that favored their former colonizers. These trade imbalances perpetuated
economic inequality and limited the development of local industries. The trade routes
established during colonial times, particularly railway networks, sometimes hindered regional
economic integration, as they were primarily designed to transport resources to coastal ports for
export.

In conclusion colonialism had major impacts on the economy and social aspects of East Africa
and left a legacy that is being felt today and many years to come. In order for African countries
to truly develop they need to dismantle these colonial legacies.