Land, Ecology and Resistance in Kenya, 1880-1952

Book excerpt: This book charts the story of the social and environmental challenges met in Kenya over a period of 70 years. Using rich case material and first hand ethnographic material, it explores the social, cultural and historical aspects of colonialism in Kenya. In particular it recognises the leading role played by women in resisting the chiefs and the colonial administration. Addressing the debates of central and eastern Africa and the central struggle for land in Kenya between settler and African, this book highlights the uses of 'betterment' and 'environmentalism' as a weapon by settlers to legitimise their occupation of the land. Land, Ecology and Resistance in Kenya 1880-1952 was the winner of the 1997-8 Joel Gregory Prize for the best book on Africa written by a Canadian or Canadian resident.