Nandi Resistance

The Nandi Resistance was a military conflict that took place in present-day Kenya between 1890 and 1906. It involved members of the Kalenjin ethnic group, mainly from the Nandi section, and elements of the British Army. The close of the 19th century, a time referrefed to as the "'pacification' period" by Matson, saw a number of local populations that resisted the occupation of their lands by the British. Of these, the Nandi resistance would stand out for being the longest and most tenacious.^[1]

The Nandi resistance was led by Koitalel Arap Samoei, the Orkoiyot of the Nandi at the time. On October 19, 1905, on the grounds of what is now Nandi Bears Club, Arap Samoei was asked to meet Col Richard Meinertzhagen for a truce. Instead, Meinertzhagen killed Koitalel and his entourage in cold blood.^[2]

Background

In the later decades of the 19th century, at the time when the early European explorers started advancing into the interior of Kenya, Nandi territory was a closed country. Thompson in 1883 was warned to avoid the country of the Nandi, who were known for attacks on strangers and caravans that would attempt to scale the great massif of the Mau.^[3]

Nandi suspicion was not without cause. Like many other indigenous cultures, Kalenjin prophets foretold the coming of the white man and among the Nandi, Mongo and the Orkoiyot Kimnyole's prophesies were the most notable examples. Mongo was more detailed in his account, foretelling the arrival of the white people and warning against fighting them for they were powerful. Kimnyole, before his execution only predicted that the confrontation would have a significant impact on the Nandi. Flush with their victories against their neighboring tribes and the Arabs however, the Nandi believed that they would succeed in protecting their homelands.

Seven years after Thompson's foray, only three small European caravans including his, had entered Nandi but no significant contact had been made. The only solid information was gathered from the Maasai who Hannington related regarded the Nandi tribe "to be the most difficult to deal with for its fighting powers".^[4]

Cause

Matson, in his account of the resistance, shows 'how the irresponsible actions of two British traders, Andrew Dick and Peter West, quickly upset the precarious modus vivendi between the Nandi and incoming British'.^[5] This would lead to more than a decade of conflict.

The war began in an unlikely fashion. West, an alleged gun-runner who has been described in historical literature as a "continual drunk" arrived at Mumias on March 20, 1895 and soon got into partnership with Dick, a "choleric" trader who had set up trading posts from the coast to Lake Victoria. Their intention was to independently establish domination and a trade monopoly with the Nandi.

Their escapade, which they began on the 23rd of June 1895 by organizing two caravans, started off poorly. Dick had three rifles stolen by the Kilekwa while one of West's men was murdered. Dick drew first blood when he had two Nandi warriors who had surrendered, whipped and later bound and drowned. A Nandi reconnaissance party was also fired upon by Dick and dispersed after losing one warrior.

While Dick was busy antagonizing the Nandi, West had pitched his camp two hours from the nearest Nandi houses and from here he unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate for ivory that he sought upon his first contact with the Nandi. Although warned of the Nandi, West persisted in his attempts to negotiate by treating the Nandi delegates well. His efforts were repaid at 2:00AM on the morning of July 16th 1895 when the camp was rushed by Nandi warriors and all but eight of the expedition were killed without a shot being fired. West's last word's were reported as, "Give me my gun".

The East Africa Protectorate, Foreign Office, and missionary societies administrations had no choice but to react militarily to West's murder. ^[7]

End of Conflict

On October 19, 1905, on the grounds of what is now Nandi Bears Club, Arap Samoei was asked to meet Col Richard Meinertzhagen for a truce. Instead, Meinertzhagen killed Koitalel and his entourage in cold blood. Sosten Saina, grand-nephew of one of Arap Samoei's bodyguards notes that “There were about 22 of them who went for a meeting with the ‘mzungu’ that day. Koitalel Arap Samoei had been advised not to shake hands because if he did, that would give him away as the leader. But he extended his hand and was shot immediately".^[8]

See also

• List of rulers of the Nandi
• Koitalel Arap Samoei

References