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Causes of the Nandi Resistance to british invasion in in Kenya

  The Nandi are a Kalenjin group of People belonging to the wider group of highland Nilotes, they currently occupy the highland escarpment in Western Kenya. 

The Nandi resisted the British invasion of their territory because of a number of reasons: 

  • They fought the British in order to defend their independence. Their leader knew very well that the British interference would erode their independence, freedom, and authority. They had even been forewarned by prophet Kimnyole that their land would at one time be ruled by foreigners. As such, they did not want any stranger crossing their land. The construction of the Uganda railway gave the Nandi an excuse of fighting the British. Their prophet Kimnyole had forewarned against the coming of an iron big snake belching smoke that would come from the East to quench its thirst in the west (Lake Victoria). So they were filled with fear and did not want to lose any of their lands to the construction of the railway
  • Superiority complex also led to the Nandi Resistance. They believed that their culture and The military were superior to those of other communities in Kenya, in their military strength since they had defeated all their neighbours such as the Masai. 
  • They also believed that their < land was the most fertile and did not want to lose it to anyone. 
  • They resented the colour of the White man since he looked so pale and was associated with evil spirits. They, therefore, had to reject the British by all means. 
  • They were inspired by rebellions such as the Hehe and Abushiri which took place in Tanzania 
  • The British were also interfering in the Ivory and Slave trade which were the main source of livelihood for most of the Nandi 
  • The Killing of their leader Orkoiyot annoyed the Nandi. They did not think this could happen to them and therefore they had to take up arms and fight against the British.
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