The Influence of The Colonization on The Coffee Industry and Its Development in Kenya

The key role played by the British Government in price regulation of coffee and other commodities was to provide the corporates and settlers with the essential infrastructural, agrarian and marketing amenities and credit facilities. The British government sought to generate, marshal and regulate the supply of the African labor for capital. The settlers did not struggle looking for capital and thus the production rateincreased leading to regulating prices of commodities, although Kenyans suffered from forced labor. Imposing of taxes was another major role by the British Government to enhance price regulation. It imposed both the hut tax and the poll tax. This increased the peasant commodity production most especially in the Central and Nyanza provinces. Despite the fact that taxes lead to ease in regulation the commodities’ prices, it brought great restriction; for instance forbidding Kenyans to grow coffee as they could not afford the required amount of money to get license over coffee growing.

How Production of Coffee and Other Export Products Impacted Livelihood of Kenya’s

Coffee production as well as exporting other products had vast impacts both on small scale producers and also the large scale producers .These impacts were both positive and negative.First there was growth in the Kenyan market with other African countries and also globally. Due to the ideal climatic conditions and mountainous landscape in the country the crop’s production was very high. Availability of human labor was also a factor that boosted the high production. This facilitated stability of market and a rise in the economy of the state. The greater impact was on communities’ livelihood as there was decrease in poverty amongst the people.

On a negative note, production of coffee and other export products caused loss of lands by people of various communities. The British Government had its corporates who grabbed large pieces of land from the Africans. Having these extensive lands called for massive labor supply and therefore Kenyans were subjected to forced labor under great supervision. In the several factories that were established by the British, Kenyans were forced to work tirelessly as the Europeans oversaw the progress. Besides harsh working conditions migration was limited by the British through establishment of the Pass or the kipande system.

Role of British in Change and Evolution in the Structure of Kenyan Coffee Industry

The British Government played a major role in changing the structure of Kenyan coffee industry by introducing the ministerial system. Earlier then these industries were headed by colonial official who were in favor of their wellbeing not putting into consideration the up come of the local Kenyans. The ministerial system had departments which were headed by members who were either elected or appointed by the governor. With this Kenyans were given the freedom and right to work on their lands and with no supervision. Africans collaborated and created African Land Development Organization (ALDEV), which provided money and services for supporting development in the previously abandoned but highly populated African farming areas.