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FACTORS THAT LED TO THE DECLARATION OF THE DEVONSHIRE WHITE PAPER OF 1923

 THE FOLLOWING ARE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE DECLARATION OF THE DEVONSHIRE WHITE PAPER OF 1923

  • The name Devonshire was acquired from the then colonial secretary, Duke of Devonshire.
  • The Duke of Devonshire issued a white paper to clarify the British position on issues raised by the conflicts between the Asians and the white settlers.
  • Land and political rights were the main issues in the dispute.
  • Europeans had continued to have an upper hand in politics of Kenya against other races like the Africans and Asians, for example in 1907, the Europeans had been given seats in the legislative council and in 1920 their number was tremendously increased but not the Asians and poor Africans
  • Previously in 1918, the Europeans had been given seats even on the executive council but not the other races.
  • Europeans had gained the most fertile lands in Kenya, the Kenyan Highlands but not the Asians and Africans.
  • The Europeans had totally refused to Asians demands for equal treatment.
  • Devonshire white paper was declared to combat racial segregation in schools and hospitals.
  • The Asians wanted unrestricted immigration within East Africa just like it was the case with Europeans.
  • It was declared to create a platform upon which European view were to be heard.
  • Africans wanted withdrawal of the “Kipande” system that restricted their movements.
  • Africans wanted to push for the reduction of taxes, especially hut tax.
  • Africans needed to get more favourable working conditions.
  • The Kikuyu and other Africans wanted to regain their land.
  • In 1921, there was a cut in wages which was meant to make Africans stay in employment longer.
  • In 1923, a conference was summoned in London by the colonial secretary “The Duke of Devonshire” to deal with all the above racial problems.
  • After the conference, a paper or document was written known as the “1923 Devonshire White Paper”.

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