Sotik Massacre

Last updated

Sotik Massacre
Kenya adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sotik
Sotik (Kenya)
LocationSotik, British East Africa
DateJune 1905
TargetEthnic Kipsigis
Attack type
 Massacre
DeathsBetween 900 and 1850
Perpetrators British East Africa Protectorate
Motive Reprisal for a raid

In June 1905, 1,850 ethnic Kipsigis men, women and children were killed in a punitive expedition dubbed Sotik expedition by the colonial British government forces led by Major Richard Pope-Hennessy. [1] [2] This was as a result of a raid by the Kipsigis on the Maasai which saw the Kipsigis part with Maasai cows, women and children to which the government demanded redress and return of the spoils of the raid but to which the Kipsigis returned in insults and turned down the warning. [3] In effect, this led to alienation of tribal land to what would become part of Kenyan White Highlands.

Contents

The Kipsigis

The Kipsigis are one of Kenya's 47 tribes and together with Nandi, Tugen, Marakwet, Sengwer, Pokot and Sebei, they make up the Kalenjin ethnic identity. Their origin is estimated to about 18th century as a break away group from the Nandi which occupied southern portions of Nandi Hills and today's Kipekelion and Belgut constituencies in Kericho County. [4] Their population would however multiply and due to their warring attributes, they would go on to assimilate many groups from Maasai, Luo and Kisii.

By late 19th century, their military efforts had seen the Kipsigis expulse the Massai, Luo and Abagusii and dispossessed their claim upon the land and looted their livestock and crops. This was especially as a result of military efforts and leadership by commanders including Menya Araap Kisiara and the three brothers of Koitalel Araap Samoei (Kipchomber araap Koilege, Chebochok Kiptonui arap Boisio and Kibuigut). By the time of the arrival of the British, the Kipsigis were exclusively occupying what is today's Bomet county, Kericho County, Narok West Constituency and parts of Nakuru and Nyamira counties.

The Massacre

A curated maxim machine gun; similar to the one used in 1905 against Sotik residents; among other artillery employed. Maxim machine gun (7477745058).jpg
A curated maxim machine gun; similar to the one used in 1905 against Sotik residents; among other artillery employed.

Shortly after the creation of Maasai reserve and relocation of some of the ethnic Maasai as a result, the Kipsigis raided the Maasai and stole cattle, women and children. [5] Attempts to negotiate the return of the Masai captives, and their cattle failed, and provoked The British East Africa Protectorate government to organise an expedition, against the Sotik. The punitive raid was led by Major Richard Pope-Hennessy and killed 1,850 men, women, and children. [6] [7] While recovering 20,000 head of cattle, along with a number of captive Masai Women and children. [5]

The expedition was reported, in London, as follows: [5]

In the spring of 1905, the Sotik tribe raided the Masai, capturing a number of women and children as well as a quantity of live stock. All efforts having failed to induce the Sotik to release their captives and to restore to the Masai the cattle raided, the Secretary of State for the Colonies sanctioned the employment of a military expedition to restore order by force of arms and to bring the country under administrative control.

The force under command of Major Pope-Hennessy, 3rd Battalion King's African Rifles, assembled in two columns at the end of May, as under:—

No. I Column at Njoro.—(Major Pope-Hennessy, 3rd K.A.R., in command). Three Companies, 3rd Battalion, King's African Rifles; 2 Maxim Guns. 3rd Battalion, King's African Rifles; Detachment 1st Battalion, King's African Rifles. 600 Masai levies.

No. II Column at Kericho.—(Captain C. L. Barlow, 1st King's African Rifles, in command). One Company, 3rd Battalion, King's African Rifles. 30 Rifles Police. 300 Lumbwa levies.

On 2 June, No. I Column marched from Njoro to Neilson's Farm on the Maumountains, whence, after establishing an advance base, it moved on 5 June into Sotik through a trackless primeval forest. Its advance was opposed on the Sotik border, but the enemy was defeated with trifling loss to the column.

A junction was effected with No. II Column, the advance of which had been unopposed, on 9 June at Sotik Post. As information respecting the enemy's numbers, fighting quality, and intentions was still vague, Major Pope-Hennessy decided to operate in one column until these points had been sufficiently cleared up by actual contact to justify movements with detachments, weak in themselves, but able to cover a wide extent of country.

On the 27th a flying column, preceded by strong patrols, moved into and worked out the Sakamnia district, returning to the Sotik Post on the 30th.

As it now became clear that the Sotik had received sufficient punishment, the force moved to Grey's Farm, near Molo. This march over steep hills and gorges covered with dense forest and bamboo jungle was a trying one to troops, levies, and porters, a road having to be cut for some 35 miles to enable the column, which, with its convoy, was seven miles long, to pass in single file.
The force was demobilised on 12 July. These operations have effectually established peace and good order in Sotik, and thrown this fine country open to colonisation.

The enemy's losses were severe. The Masai captives were released and the claims of that tribe on the Sotik made good. The force lost 1 man killed and 6 wounded; during the operations 14,711 rounds of rifle ammunition were expended and 614 rounds of Maxim ammunition. Major Pope-Hennessy reports that:—

"The behaviour of the rank and file throughout was good. I was particularly pleased with the remarkable marching of Captain Maycock's or No. 6 (Masai) Company, 3rd King's African Rifles, sections of which several times covered 40 miles in the day when supporting parties of Masai spearmen."

"Captain Jenkins' or No. 0 (Soudanese) Company, 3rd King's African Rifles set a good example to the rest of the force in discipline, smartness, and keenness for work."
In addition to the above named Officers Major Pope-Hennessy has brought to notice the good work of the followiiig:—

Mr. Partington, Senior Political Officer.
Mr. McClure, Assistant Political Officer.

Mr. Rayne, Transport Officer.

— "Sotik Expedition", The London Gazette (13 March 1908)

British East Africa called for peace negotiations between the Nandi and the British following a protracted 10-year long guerrilla resistance. Upon their meeting, Richard Meinheirtzhagen shot Koitalel Araap Samoei point blank in the head thus ending the resistance. [8]

Impacts and Implications

Following the attainment of the mission objectives and their success, medal of honours were awarded to officers who took part in the operation. [1] The party had been allocated £20,000 but following their raid, they seized 20,000 head of cattle to which each was sold at £3 thus amounting to £60,000 which was £40,000 in profit. [9]

Part of Sotik Tea Highlands, annexed from the Kipsigis in early 1900's Sotik Tea Farms.jpg
Part of Sotik Tea Highlands, annexed from the Kipsigis in early 1900's

It was also as a result of both the assassination of Orkoiyot Koitalel Araap Samoei and the massacres of Sotik and Nandi that the British administration felt that all of Talai clansmen should be exiled. This operation saw hundreds of Talai clan members living among the Kipsigis evacuated to Rusinga island in Kisumu where many of them died due to malaria and became subject to pedigree collapse as there were no unrelated choices for pairing. Apparently, the three brothers of Koitalel were handed life exile in Fort Hall, Nyeri until their deaths.

Redress

In August 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Claudia Webbe, Member of Parliament for Leicester East wrote in a letter addressed to UK's Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson about Sotik Massacre and asked that the massacre should be taught in British schools. [10] In 2023, Kenyan Professor Paul Chepkwony stated:

"The Sotik massacre has been erased from the history books, not just of the United Kingdom but from Kenya as well. The slaughter of some 1850 men, women and children would today be classified as genocide and a crime against humanity. In 1905, Colonel Hennessey, used a Maxine Machine gun to conduct this slaughter. This massacre was used to terrorise the Kipsigi people and evict them illegally from their ancestral homeland. The colonialists justified this ethnic cleansing by stating that the 'well watered white Highlands were fit to raise a European child'. Approximately 100,000 Talai people were forcibly removed to Gwasi, which they knew was unfit for human habitation. This was heartless racism of the highest order."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kipsigis people</span> Sub-Tribe in Kenya

The Kipsigis or Kipsigiis are a Nilotic group, contingent of the Kalenjin ethnic group and speak a dialect of the Kalenjin language identified by their community eponym, Kipsigis. It is observed that the Kipsigis and another original group native to Kenya known as Ogiek have a merged identity. The Kipsigis are the biggest sub tribe within the Kalenjin community. The latest census population in Kenya put the Kipsigis at 1,972,000 speakers, accounting for 45% of all Kalenjin speaking people. They occupy the highlands of Kericho stretching from Timboroa to the Mara River in the south and the Mau Escarpment in the east to Kebeneti. They also occupy parts of Laikipia, Kitale, Nakuru, Narok, the Trans Mara District, Eldoret and the Nandi Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalenjin people</span> Group of Southern Nilotic peoples indigenous to East Africa

The Kalenjin is a group of tribes indigenous to East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya and the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda. They number 6,358,113 individuals per the Kenyan 2019 census and an estimated 273,839 in Uganda according to the 2014 census mainly in Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nandi people</span> Ethnic group of Kenya

The Nandi are part of the Kalenjin, a Nilotic tribe living in East Africa. The Nandi ethnic group live with close association and relation with the Kipsigis tribe. They traditionally have lived and still form the majority in the highland areas of the former Rift Valley Province of Kenya, in what is today Nandi County. They speak the Nandi dialect of the Kalenjin language.

The Orkoiyot occupied a sacred and special role within the Nandi and Kipsigis people of Kenya. He held the dual roles of King spiritual and military leader, and had the authority to make decisions regarding security particularly the waging of war. Notable Orkoiik include Kimnyole Arap Turukat, Koitalel Arap Samoei and Barsirian Arap Manyei.

Kimnyole Arap Turkat was the Nandi Orkoiyot who predicted the arrival of Europeans and the railways ; two events that were to forever alter the history of the Nandi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nandi County</span> County in Kenya

Nandi County is a county in Kenya in the North Rift, occupying an area of 2,884.4 square kilometres. Its capital, Kapsabet, is the largest town in the county while other towns include Mosoriot, Tinderet, Kobujoi, Kaiboi, Kabiyet and Nandi Hills. According to a 2019 census, the county has a population of 885,711, made up of a number of Kenyan communities, the majority of whom belong to the native tribe called Nandi.

Koitalel arap Samoei was an Orkoiyot who led the Nandi people from 1890 until his assassination in 1905. The Orkoiyot occupied a sacred and special role within the Nandi and Kipsigis people of Kenya. He held the dual roles of chief spiritual and military leader, and had the authority to make decisions regarding security matters particularly the waging of war and negotiating for peace. Koitalel was the supreme chief of the Nandi people of Kenya. He led the Nandi resistance against British colonial rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Pope-Hennessy</span>

Major-General Ladislaus Herbert Richard Pope-Hennessy was a British Army officer of Irish Catholic descent who served in both the Second Boer War and First World War. In 1905, he led a punitive expedition which resulted in the killings of 1,850 men, women and children of the Kipsigis tribe.

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 the British colonial administration. The close of the 19th century, a time referred to as the "pacification period" by Matson, saw a number of local populations that resisted British colonial rule. Of these, the Nandi resistance would stand out for being the longest and most tenacious.

The Kalenjin people are an ethnolinguistic group indigenous to East Africa, with a presence, as dated by archaeology and linguistics, that goes back many centuries. Their history is therefore deeply interwoven with those of their neighboring communities as well as with the histories of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oreet</span> Kinship group among the Kalenjin people of Kenya

The Oreet is a kinship group among the Kalenjin people of Kenya that is similar in concept to a clan. The members of an oreet were not necessarily related by blood as evidenced by the adoption of members of the Uasin Gishu Maasai by Arap Sutek, the only Nandi smith at the time. His proteges would later be adopted into almost every other clan as smiths. More famously, the lineage of the Talai Orkoiik were adopted members of the Segelai Maasai.

The Lumbwa were a pastoral community which inhabited southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The term Lumbwa has variously referred to a Kalenjin-speaking community, portions of the Maa-speaking Loikop communities since the mid-19th century, and to the Kalenjin-speaking Kipsigis community for much of the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.

The Settlement of Nandi was the historical process by which the various communities that today make up the Nandi people of Kenya settled in Nandi County. It is captured in the folklore of the Nandi as a distinct process composed of a series of inward migrations by members from various Kalenjin ortinwek.

Mutai is a term used by the Maa-speaking communities of Kenya to describe a period of wars, usually triggered by disease and/or drought affecting widespread areas of the Rift Valley region of Kenya. According to Samburu and Maasai tradition, two periods of Mutai occurred during the nineteenth century. The second Mutai lasted from the 1870s to the 1890s.

The Uasin Gishu people were a community that inhabited a plateau located in western Kenya that today bears their name. They are said to have arisen from the scattering of the Kwavi by the Maasai in the 1830s. They were one of two significant sections of that community that stayed together. The other being the Laikipiak with whom they would later ally against the Maasai.

The Siger people were a community commonly spoken of in the folklore of a number of Kenyan communities that inhabited regions of northwestern Kenya at various points in history.

The Lumbwa Treaty event took place on 13 October 1889, in Lumbwa in Kericho between the Kipsigis led by Menya Araap Kisiara and the British East Africa administration. It was based on a cultural practice of oath taking in Kipsigis called Mummek or Mummiat or Mumma. Mumma means "to do something impossibly disgusting". It involves two parties taking an oath and invoking a preemptive curse if the oath is to be broken by any party taking the oath. There usually would also be a performance of black magic; and on this particular event a coyote was savored in two halves with each party burying its part and making the oath never to harm each other in any way.

Sotik town is an urban centre situated in Sotik Sub-county within Bomet County in the Western region of Kenya and managed by Sotik Town Council. Initially, it was the home of Mugenik Barngetuny Araap Sitonik, a prominent Kipsigis prophet of the late 19th century. Sotik is a metropolitan town with a majority of the residents from the Kipsigis ethnicity and a minority being from other ethnicities from Kenya including notably, Somalis and Indians. The town is home to Kalenjin music artist Philip Yegon, Kenyan athletes: Paul Kipsiele Koech and Mercy Cherono; and Kenyan politicians: Lorna Laboso and the late Joyce Cherono Laboso.

Raphael Kipchambai arap Tapotuk, better known by the stage name Kipchamba, was a Kalenjin singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1970s. He specialized in rhumba sung in the Kipsigis dialect of the Kalenjin language. While performing as a singer, Kipchamba preferred wearing a suit and presenting himself in a formal slant.

Oretab Talai is one of the ortinwek or clans of the Kalenjin, a Nilotic tribe living in East Africa. Nandi Talai elders gained particular notability during the 2022 Kenyan general elections when a blessing ritual they performed on then Deputy President William Ruto gained symbolism as an act perceived as bestowing not just community leadership but also future national leadership. Much was made in the commentary surrounding the event of the fact that Nandi Talai elders had performed similar blessing rituals for the late Kenyan Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and even the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before they ascended to national leadership positions.

References

  1. 1 2 War Medals and Their History. p. 258.
  2. ↑ The Truth on the Congo Free State. 1906. p. 6.
  3. ↑ Meinertzhagen, Richard (1983). Kenya Diary (1902-1906). Eland Books. p. 221. ISBN   0907871100.
  4. ↑ Chesaina, Ciarunji (1991). Oral literature of the Kalenjin. Nairobi: Heinmann Kenya Limited. pp. 1–2. ISBN   9966468919.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sotik Expedition" (PDF). The London Gazette. 13 March 1908. pp. 1962–1963.
  6. ↑ "London Gazette" (PDF).
  7. ↑ "How Sotik massacre, Koitalel killing opened area to white settlers". Buinness Daily. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "How Sotik massacre, Koitalel killing opened area to white settlers". MSN. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  9. ↑ The Truth on the Congo Free State. p. 6.
  10. ↑ "Include the Sotik Massacre in the National Curriculum". Claudia Webbe. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2022.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.