Duties of the Imperial British East Africa Company in Kenya

Discover the various duties performed by the Imperial British East Africa Company in Kenya, including maintaining law and order, regulating trade, collecting taxes, developing infrastructure, and protecting missionaries.

Questions

b) Describe 8 duties performed by the Imperial British East Africa Company in Kenya.

Answers

1. The Imperial British East Africa Company (IBEAC) undertook several key duties in Kenya, which included:

• Maintain Law & Order: The IBEAC was responsible for establishing and maintaining law and order within the protectorate, ensuring that colonial rule was enforced and that conflicts were managed effectively.
• Administer the British Sphere of Influence: The company acted as the administrative body for the British, overseeing governance and implementing British policies within the territory.
• Develop and Regulate Trade: The IBEAC played a crucial role in developing trade routes and regulating commerce, which included facilitating the exchange of goods between the local communities and foreign traders.
• Collect Tax: The company was tasked with collecting taxes from the local populace, which were necessary for funding its operations and the colonial administration.
• Develop/Civilize the Indigenous People: One of the companys self-proclaimed duties was to ‘civilize’ the indigenous people, which involved stopping the slave trade and promoting European cultural practices.
• Develop Infrastructure: The IBEAC was instrumental in developing infrastructure in the region, including transportation networks (roads and railways), as well as education and health facilities to support colonial administration and improve the welfare of settlers.
• Exploit Natural Resources: The company was responsible for the exploitation of natural resources within the colonies, such as agricultural products and minerals, for the benefit of Britain.
• Protect Christian Missionaries: The IBEAC also took on the duty of protecting Christian missionaries who were working to convert local populations and establish schools and clinics, ensuring their safety and facilitating their activities.