The role of the state in Kenya's post-war industrialisation

Abstract

This paper is concerned to evaluate the nature of industrial growth in Kenya in the context of worldwide concentration of capital after the Second World War. There is a focus on the role of the metropolitan state in the promotion of colonial 'development. This change of emphasis in raising productivity in the industrial as well as agricultural spheres in British colonial territories after the war was, in part, a consequence of Britain's radically altered world position. The result of this change in metropolitan policy was the provision of large grants for the colonial territories on a scale unprecedented before 1939, which were to be utilised in providing infrastructure and facilities to encourage the flow of private capital. In this process, the role of finance capital is enhanced to provide favourable conditions for the ultimate intervention of foreign industrial capital. The case studies examine in detail the activist role of the post-war colonial state in supporting the participation of industrial capital in colonial enterprises.

Due to the length of this paper I have decided to discuss one case study only in order to have a focal point for the seminar. This will involve an analysis of the role of the state, in building up Kenya's pineapple industry, see.pp 66—78 of the above paper.