Give the main reason why the British were able to conquer Kenya during the 19th century

Main reasons why the British were able to conquer Kenya during the 19th century

1. Military superiority of the British
   This is the main reason why the British were able to conquer Kenya. They were using more powerful weapons, and had the advantage of the newly invented machine gun called the Maxim gun which was invented in the 1880’s. This gun could fire eleven bullets per second, and outdid the weapons that the African forces had such as spears, bows, swords and arrows. African armies did not manage to get hold of European weapons because it was not sold to them. Thus Africans were at a military disadvantage.
   There was also an aspect of military knowledge such as military tactics in combat zones that Kenyans knew nothing about this disadvantaged them.
   In some other instances, Kenyans used witchcraft to convince warriors that they were protected by the spirits from any harm. However, with their faith and bravery, they could be shot down in the battle field en masse as they confronted British warriors without taking cover. They could be shot from far.
2. Divide and rule tactics
   There was rivalries between Kenyan leaders. These kings and chiefs were competing with each other to be the richest and most powerful within their tribes. This brought about divisions in the Kenyan society that the British exploited to their advantage. 
   While other tribes like the Nandi resisted them, the British could use tribes from the surrounding region to counter them. This divisions bred groups which were pro-British and anti-British. 
   Those who were seen as against, were viewed as backward and a conflict could be set between the two rival clans to the advantage of the British.
3. Natural disasters
   Natural disasters also played a big role in the rapid and easy colonization of Africa. In 1895, a serious drought reached many regions in Africa which was caused by a sudden decline in rainfall. Hardly any crops were produced, and the food shortage which followed caused the death of many people and animals. The little crops that were produced were destroyed by a plague of locusts. In addition to this plague, the cattle plague broke out during the 1890’s which killed cattle, sheep and goats. This led to even more deaths of animals and people, and due to their physical and mental weakness, they were unable to fight against European powers.
   In almost at the same time, there was an outbreak of new diseases that Kenyans knew nothing about. The British migration  to Kenya had resulted to the outbreak of new diseases such as smallpox, measles, TB, cowpox, Influenza, whooping cough, Falciprum malaria, cholera, syphilis and gonorrhea. 
   Since Europeans were immunized thus resistant to these diseases, Kenyans were infected and left for the dead. This weakened their defense lines and work force as they had to side with the British in order to  get medicine and other privileges.
   As you can see, Kenyans had no chance, had no choice other than humble themselves before the British settlers who took this advantage to grab large tracts of land, natural resources exploitation and cheap labor.

Works Cited:

1. Colonial masters brought infectious diseases to Africa
2. The Scramble for Africa: late 19th century