Health, nutrition, and population in central Kenya, 1890-1945

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Book chapter

Title:	Health, nutrition, and population in central Kenya, 1890-1945
Author:	Dawson, Marc H.
Book title:	African population and capitalism: historical perspectives
Year:	1987
Pages:	201-217
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Kenya United Kingdom
Subjects:	Kikuyu demographic change colonialism
Abstract:	The evidence on the Kikuyu, who live largely in Central Province, Kenya, suggests that 'commonsense' explanations of Kenyan demographic history are incorrect. The period 1890-1930 is one of population decline due to increased mortality, the result of the integration of Kikuyu society into the colonial economy. The period 1930-1945 witnessed gradually accelerating population growth. Evidence does not support the idea that this growth stemmed from substantial reductions in mortality, resulting from improvements in sanitary conditions, nutrition, or the introduction of Western biomedical care. Any reduction in mortality came from improved famine relief capabilities and the achievement of a colonial homeostasis between humans and their parasites. Thus, population growth must also be the result of changing patterns of fertility. The new colonial society and economy had strong influence on important Kikuyu social institutions affecting fertility.