Communal Labor in Colonial Kenya

The Legitimization of Coercion, 1912–1930

Nonfiction, History, Africa, British
Cover of the book Communal Labor in Colonial Kenya by O. Okia, Palgrave Macmillan US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: O. Okia ISBN: 9780230392960
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US Publication: July 25, 2012
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author: O. Okia
ISBN: 9780230392960
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication: July 25, 2012
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

This book advances research into the government-forced labor used widely in colonial Kenya from 1930 to 1963 after the passage of the International Labor Organization’s Forced Labour Convention. While the 1930 Convention intended to mark the suppression of forced labor practices, various exemptions meant that many coercive labor practices continued in colonial territories. Focusing on East Africa and the Kenya Colony, this book shows how the colonial administration was able to exploit the exemption clause for communal labor, thus ensuring the mobilization of African labor for infrastructure development. As an exemption, communal labor was not defined as forced labor but instead justified as a continuation of traditional African and community labor practices. Despite this ideological justification, the book shows that communal labour was indeed an intensification of coercive labor practices and one that penalized Africans for non-compliance with fines or imprisonment. The use of forced labor before and after the passage of the Convention is examined, with a focus on its use during World War II as well as in efforts to combat soil erosion in the rural African reserve areas in Kenya. The exploitation of female labor, the Mau Mau war of the 1950s, civilian protests, and the regeneration of communal labor as harambee after independence are also discussed. 

 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book advances research into the government-forced labor used widely in colonial Kenya from 1930 to 1963 after the passage of the International Labor Organization’s Forced Labour Convention. While the 1930 Convention intended to mark the suppression of forced labor practices, various exemptions meant that many coercive labor practices continued in colonial territories. Focusing on East Africa and the Kenya Colony, this book shows how the colonial administration was able to exploit the exemption clause for communal labor, thus ensuring the mobilization of African labor for infrastructure development. As an exemption, communal labor was not defined as forced labor but instead justified as a continuation of traditional African and community labor practices. Despite this ideological justification, the book shows that communal labour was indeed an intensification of coercive labor practices and one that penalized Africans for non-compliance with fines or imprisonment. The use of forced labor before and after the passage of the Convention is examined, with a focus on its use during World War II as well as in efforts to combat soil erosion in the rural African reserve areas in Kenya. The exploitation of female labor, the Mau Mau war of the 1950s, civilian protests, and the regeneration of communal labor as harambee after independence are also discussed. 

 

More books from Palgrave Macmillan US

Cover of the book Reconstituting Americans by O. Okia
Cover of the book Re-Making Communication at Work by O. Okia
Cover of the book Martin Luther's Legacy by O. Okia
Cover of the book La Mamma by O. Okia
Cover of the book Narrative and Truth by O. Okia
Cover of the book Cinematic Urban Geographies by O. Okia
Cover of the book We’re Losing Our Minds by O. Okia
Cover of the book Technology of Oppression by O. Okia
Cover of the book Managing Muslim Mobilities by O. Okia
Cover of the book Avant-Garde Theatre Sound by O. Okia
Cover of the book Folklore, Gender, and AIDS in Malawi by O. Okia
Cover of the book Music and Empire in Britain and India by O. Okia
Cover of the book Intimacy and Family in Early American Writing by O. Okia
Cover of the book The Influence of Public Opinion on Post-Cold War U.S. Military Interventions by O. Okia
Cover of the book Democratic Ideals and the Politicization of Nature by O. Okia
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy