Africa formal partion - happened in late 19th century - and unofficially - began around 1850 - I think British took over Mombasa that early - but could not venture inside.
Infact after checking - British took over Mombasa - and whole of Zanzibar - from 1820s.
They couldn't venture inwards because Maasai were too strong. Maasai basically occupied Kenya. Remember until early 20th century - British gun was of minimal use - it was not automaticaly re-loading - so the warriors would catch you dead why trying to re-load. Arabs had brought guns but they knew their effectiveness was limited. At coast - you could shell it with canons and all - but hinterland - that would take huge army.
Secondly understand by Big - we are talking maybe 200,000. Africa population including that of Bantus were small. African life was short, brutish and horrible.
The biggest problem was child and all sort of mortality. It was impossible according to my grandmother to find a family of 4 kids - most kids would die - from all the diseases we now take from granted. The life expectancy maybe was 35-40yrs.
So Maasai were the most popolous occupying a large territory - in a mostly "empty" country - with more wildlife than humans.
Kenya population by 1900 is estimated at around 1M. Rose sharply to 6M by 1950s. 8M by 1962 and now is 50M!!!!!
The families or communities that embraced British - started going to hospitals - and getting modern medicine - started seeing 5 -10 kids - unheard of in Africa. Then some started even getting 15 kids - and that is how current population rose.
So population of say Kikuyus shot from maybe 200K to 1M by time of indepedences. Nandis were estimated at 40k and so were kipsigis at 19th century. Nearly 'everyone" knew each other
RV, Weve been here before , I have several questions for you
Q1. Dont you think partitioning of Africa by Europeans affected the social unity of Maasai ?
Q2. Between Bantus and Nomadic pastoralists who do you think are at a higher risk of contacting diseases ?
Q3 .Bantus form of expansion was assimilation where as Nilotic was more of displacement between the two who would have have a big population ?
Q4. Which requires more labour , tilling the land or herding cattle ?
Q5. what for you is the final solution to end tribalism in Kenya , Intermarrying between tribes or marrying within tribes ?