The Origin of European settlement in Molo in the early colonial period up to 1918

Abstract

The study examined the origin of European settlement in Molo in the early colonial period up to 1918. The study commenced in the year 1904 when land alienation for white settlement in Molo started. It was also in 1904 when the first settlers, Major Webb and Jasper Abraham, settled in Mariashoni and Kweresoi (Kuresoi) in Molo area respectively. Settler dominance in Molo was essentially a consequence of discriminatory economic policies adopted by the colonial state. The white settlers aimed to make strides in agricultural production because of their cumulative experiences, availability of infrastructure, capital and government support. The Colonial Capitalism Theory guided this study. Data was collected from informants through oral interviews and from the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi. Informants were identified through snowball sampling. Secondary sources such as books, journals and articles were also used. Data was analysed historically, thematically and logically. Finally, data has been presented in a qualitative form, which is descriptive in nature.