| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the settlement schemes of Nyandarua District from 1963 to 1991, with particular emphasis on the schemes of oljoro-orok Division. In 1960, -the exclusive reservation of the Highlands for White settlers was terminated the by repeal of the Kenya Land Order-in-Council of 1960. The White Highlands were then opened to all races, thus leading to the establishment of the African land settlement schemes. The area under study has been occupied by three groups of people in different time periods: the Maasai, the White settlers and the African settlers. The Maasai occupied the area during the pre-colonial and early colonial period. After the establishment of the British rule, and following the treaties of 1904 and 1911 between the Maasai and the British, the Maasai were moved to create room for White settlers. Large areas of the Kenya Highlands were thus alienated for White farmers and came to be known as the White Highlands. Present-day Nyandarua District was created in 1963, and in the same year the first African settlers were settled there, with the Kikuyu being the majority. The settlement schemes of Oljoro-orok Division were of two types, low and high density. The schemes in were settled in three time periods. The first group of settlers arrived in the 1960s, the second in the 1970s and the third in the 1980s. The government was more involved with the settlements of the 19605 then with the later settlements. Using loans and grants from the British and West German governments, the World Bank, and the Commonwealth Development Corporation, the Kenya government purchased land occupied by the White settlers with the idea of establishing African settlement schemes. This was done to facilitate a smooth transfer of resources from the White settlers and to satisfy the land hungry Africans. By so doing, the colonial government was trying to ensure that the economy was not disrupted by the abrupt departure of White settlers most of whom were reluctant to remain under African government, and that independence was not delayed. To help the African settlers make maximum use of the land, the government not only gave them operating budgets but also advanced them loans to start them off. The settlers were also advised on how to join marketing co-operative societies that would enable them to receive economies of scale. The operating budgets proved to unrealistic as the settlers -were unable to keep to them because of internal and external factors beyond their control. Moreover, the co-operative societies did not live up to their expected roles. The failure of the societies was a severe to the settlement schemes of the 1960s, because they were not only supposed to do marketing, but also to act as a social unit where settlers converged to do communal activities. Th government was less involved in settling the 1970s and1980s settlers in Oljoro-orok settlement schemes. In an effort to minimize the costs any development undertaking the 1970s and 1980s settlement schemes were established with minimum government involvement. This was especially so in the marketing of farm produce. The settlers were expected to find their own marKeting channels. Apart from the Githumbato Farmers Company Limited that was founded on rule and regulations formulated by its members other marketing agents were founded on the lines of a coperative movement. The findings of the study concluded that the co-operative movement in Oljoro-orok Division settlement schemes was a failure.Despite problems in the schemes, the settlers were able to acquire new knowledge in crop and animal production. In the 1960s, settlers had agricultural extension officers moving from farm to farm. But as the years advanced, individual settlers had to take the initiative of looking for the officers.This applied also to livestock farming.Settlers initiatives were demonstrated in the social projects they undertook. They were keen on building schools,health centres and water projects. All these social activities were made possible by social welfare groups formed by settlers themselves. Due to varying circumstances and the different adjustments nd adaptation that the settlers themselves made, they advanced differently, and differentiation occurred. Though there were some factors that settlers could not control, how an individual settler reacted to a situation also mattered. Therefore, as settlers adapted and adjusted, to their new environment, they proved to be active agents of change. | en |
