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What factors helped in the growth of urban centres during the colonial period?

      

Explain the factors which helped in the growth of urban centres during the colonial period?

  

Answers


Raphael
1. Industrialization
Many agro-based industries were established during colonial period.

2. Administration
Administrative centres such as Machakos developed into towns.

3. Asian shops
As a result of construction of Kenya-Uganda railway line, Asians established small shops (dukas) along ch line which attracted other settlements and hence urbanization.

4. Settler farming
Large scale settler farming encouraged development of market where farm produce would be sold and also where farm inputs would be purchased.

5. Mining activities
People moved to go and work in mines and hence urbanization.

6. Construction of Kenya-Uganda railway
Many resting points along the railway line developed into towns.

OR

What were Factors which led to the establishment of urban centres in Kenya during the colonial period?

a) Development of transport network. Construction of roads and the Uganda railway led to growth of
some towns as transport terminus or along the transport lines e.g. Nairobi, Voi, Nakuru and Kisumu.
b) Growth of trade in the interior of Kenya. Most towns began as trading centres for Indian
commercial entrepreneurs. E.g Machakos, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nairobi and Voi.
c) Development of administrative posts. The colonial government established administrative posts in
various parts of the country. These posts later grew into urban centres. E.g Fort Hall, Embu, Kapsabet,
Meru and Garissa.
d) Rural-urban migration. The movement to urban areas by African labourers from various parts of the
country led to further growth of urban centres.
e) Development of agriculture. Settler farming led to growth of towns like Eldoret which began as
agricultural collection centres
f) Development of Agro-based industries like flour mills, meat-processing plants and sawmills which
attracted labourers from all parts of the country to be transformed into urban centres.
g) Development of mining activities. This stimulated development of industries in the mining areas
leading to urban growth. E.g. Kakamega, Athi River and Magadi.
raphael answered the question on May 3, 2017 at 14:32


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